Are Java Classes Worth It?

If you are considering learning Java, the learning method you choose should be based on your reasons for studying this programming language. Most potential students want to learn Java to write applications for a variety of platforms and purposes. They may be aspiring web or software developers, data scientists, or business owners or researchers needing custom software tools. Other students need to know Java as a job skill for fields like web development, software engineering, information technology, or machine learning. 

Those who are only curious about Java might be better served by free text or video tutorials, rather than a formal class. Students with no prior programming knowledge who want to learn to code could take a short introductory Java class. An introductory class is also a good choice for students who want to use Java for small projects like simple web or mobile applications. These students could also study with a textbook or a video series, but a live class will teach them the same material faster and with fewer misunderstandings.

However, if you plan to use Java professionally, either for your projects or as a career skill, a live class with an expert instructor is probably your best option. Studying on your own, without skilled feedback, will take longer due to setbacks like missing information and unnoticed errors. Without an instructor, it is also more difficult to find all the material covered in a formal Java course and confirm the completeness of your education. For those studying Java to improve their employment, a formal course is the only way to gain accredited verification of your accomplishments. Many courses from technical or career schools also provide further career guidance and placement services.

Consider the Costs

For many potential students, decisions about whether and how to study a subject depend on its cost. While the expense of a paid class may be worth its expected return, a student still has to be able to afford that study. Depending on a student’s educational goals, they might be able to reduce their educational costs depending on the class format they choose. 

Live instruction has the highest up-front cost, but there are several types of live classes to consider. The most expensive option is a college degree program including Java, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. College or university courses tend to be the most complete option but may include more material than a given student needs. Their additional cost may also include access to a computer lab and campus support services like an employment office. 

By comparison, a training school’s professional certificate program, tailored more closely to specific career needs, provides complete training in Java itself plus career guidance and support. Java certificate programs are much less expensive than degree programs, though they still cost several thousand dollars. A Java bootcamp course is even more narrowly focused and accelerated and costs only several hundred to a few thousand dollars. The lowest cost for live instruction is for a short class, usually only a few hundred dollars. Short classes include both basic introductory classes and advanced topical classes. A student might choose to take an introduction first, for a lower starting cost, then add advanced classes as needed, though this option could cost more overall. Still, an introduction can help you decide if you want to continue studying Java with less initial financial commitment. Note that certificate programs, bootcamps, and short courses are often available as live online courses, and online options are usually less expensive than in-person classes.

Another online option available for an even lower cost is on-demand study, with classes presented through written and pre-recorded video lessons. Students should be cautious, however, since the lower cost for these courses is largely due to the absence of a live instructor. Such limited feedback can create problems for some students, who will find on-demand classes slower and more difficult. Significant delays can also increase the cost of on-demand courses taken on a subscription basis. Finally, free online tutorials have no monetary cost but provide almost no feedback, have minimal organization, and can be of uncertain quality. These limitations make learning from free resources even more difficult, as they require more time and effort. For each of these less-expensive options, students should consider whether their drawbacks are worth the savings.

Advantages of a Java Class

Live classes are generally the most expensive option, but when learning a programming language like Java, you may find the benefits of live instruction worth their cost.

General Benefits

Live instruction, whether in-person or online, means that an instructor speaks directly to students during scheduled class sessions. They can quickly answer questions, frequently review students’ work and correct their mistakes, and adjust their explanations when unclear. This regular interaction helps students understand lessons more easily and avoid frustrations and delays. Learning to program in Java is easier when students can avoid misconceptions, get timely and varied examples, and practice with feedback. Live classes also help students stay focused and motivated thanks to the immediacy of classroom attendance and the instructor’s encouragement. These benefits not only help students learn more quickly but also ensure that they reach advanced material sooner. Finally, live classes can adapt and improve their curriculum most quickly, both to incorporate student feedback and to update lessons in response to new information. This currency is particularly important when teaching a programming language like Java that regularly receives updates and new tools. 

Learning to ‘Speak’ Code

Programming languages share some common terminology, but specific languages, like Java, have unique terms that come from their history, specific uses, and designed behaviors. As a course explains each element and technique of Java, it also teaches the terms and syntax of that language, helping students to become fluent. Live instruction can provide more thorough, varied, and personal explanations, ensuring that students understand each concept completely and correctly before moving on. Building this understanding is critical to learning more complex and advanced concepts and programming techniques. An instructor can also explain, through descriptions and examples, how combinations of elements can be reused at different scales and in different environments. This concept is particularly relevant for Java’s object-oriented programming style, which references and reuses code ‘objects’ for faster, more efficient coding. Increasingly complex topics like these are easier to manage with more explanation and examples.

Personalized Feedback

Like learning to write, learning to code benefits from a skilled, observant critic who can spot errors consistently and early. Novice programmers can become frustrated trying to find the problems in malfunctioning or inefficient code. Learning concepts correctly the first time also helps to reduce future mistakes. A skilled instructor can detect errors in students’ practice code and teach them to edit and debug better on their own. An experienced instructor can also suggest ways to make code more efficient and secure. When students code well, a live instructor can confirm and praise their work right away. Finally, when working on original projects, a live instructor can evaluate ideas and suggest improvements, saving students time and improving their results.

Access to Programming Tools

An instructor-led course will often select, provide, and explain several common tools used to work with Java. Most of these tools can be found online for low or no cost, but an instructor’s guidance helps students choose and understand appropriate tools faster. Students build their fluency with these selected tools in a supportive environment while also learning how those tools relate to the wider range of available options.

For example, Java can be written using a simple text editor but is much easier to write in a development environment. These enhanced editing programs incorporate features like coding guides, reference notes, and support for various code frameworks. Java frameworks provide standard code objects that save time and enable specialized functions in programs. Build tools assist in compiling Java code, and testing tools check if code will run and respond as intended. Students should also understand the differences between different Java Runtime Environments (JREs), the programs that finish compiling and execute Java code on different devices.

Collaborative Projects

A live programming course allows students to work together on team projects, gaining experience with collaborative programming. Students can also cooperate when working on individual portfolio projects. While group work can be frustrating, these challenges are a regular part of some jobs. Students must learn how to divide up large projects, communicate while working, and collect separate sections of code into a finished and functional whole. Group coding experience is especially useful for students planning to work in web or software development since most commercial projects are too large for a single coder to handle. Java certificate programs often include lessons on collaborative software development environments, like Git and GitHub, so that students graduate ready to use these tools. Even just while studying, fellow students can help answer questions, suggest ideas, and caution one another about past mistakes. 

Building a Portfolio

Most employers looking for Java programmers will expect to see a portfolio of past work. New graduates without prior work history in Java will need to generate an initial portfolio of sample projects. Professional Java courses assist this process by guiding students through class projects. For example, depending on the type of course, a student might design and build a functional website including Java web applications and server code, write mobile applications in Java, or create a Java application for data collection and analysis. These projects demonstrate a student’s ability and creativity and prove their accomplishments. A live instructor can directly advise students working on these projects, improving their results.

Considerations When Looking at Java Classes

Java students will have differing learning styles and goals. Some potential students might not even need a formal course to meet their goals. For others, certain class formats will better suit their needs. Here are some considerations when choosing between different class options.

General Considerations

Students must attend live classes when they are scheduled. While different classes may offer varied scheduling options, once a student has booked a specific course, they must commit to its class dates and times. They must also allow time between those classes for assigned readings and exercises. Live classes require students to match their pace, which may be fast for some students but slow for others, depending on their prior knowledge and learning style. Further, for in-person classes, a student must travel to the classroom location before class and back home afterward, requiring more time. Online classes avoid this travel but require that students maintain access to a computer and Internet connection, plus a quiet space to work during class hours. Other online study methods, on-demand and free classes, do not require attendance on a fixed schedule, but students will still need computer hardware, online access, and plenty of time for study and practice work. Plus, these self-paced students will have to maintain their focus and motivation to make up for the lack of a fixed schedule.

What is the Course’s Focus?

Java has many potential uses, and a student might be interested in learning all, some, or only one use in particular. Thinking about their reasons for learning Java helps a student identify the classes that cover their interests and avoid classes that are too specialized or focus on unnecessary topics. Some Java courses are general-interest and cover the language broadly, while others tailor their lessons to address only certain projects, techniques, and tools. This narrow focus is especially common for advanced short courses, but even some introductory courses have an applied focus. For example, an introductory course on Java for data science would focus on features that assist data gathering and analysis. A short course or bootcamp of this type might teach enough about Java to write data applications but omit tools used for web coding or mobile application development. A course on Java for web development would likely expect prior experience with web-related languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and would teach mostly about Java’s uses for writing web applications and server code.

What is Your Desired Level of Study?

Java courses vary in depth of instruction, which affects their duration. A short introductory course teaches just enough about the language for basic coding proficiency and might run from one to several days. An intensive training program, lasting several months, might include multiple advanced programming techniques and most common coding tools. However, most longer, in-depth courses focus on specific uses of Java such as web development or mobile applications, teaching the advanced techniques and tools specific to that type of work. Such thorough study programs are best for students who want to use Java at a professional level, either for their personal projects or as a job skill. Those who only need Java for more basic uses like editing web applications or writing simple mobile apps might prefer a short course, or they might be able to learn these same skills from free tutorials.

Is It Worth Enrolling in a Java Class?

Who Will Find It Worthwhile?

Those who benefit the most from a complete, formal Java course are professionals who will use Java regularly in their work. Gaining new or improved employment most easily justifies the cost and effort of such study. An accredited Java course taught by an expert instructor, especially a full certificate program, covers all the knowledge and practice needed to qualify for an entry-level Java programming job. The projects completed in a certificate course serve as a starting portfolio for potential employers or clients, and the certificates awarded by an accredited institution further confirm graduates’ skills. Many career-focused Java courses also provide employment advice and support. Students whose career goals require additional skills beyond Java, such as user experience (UX) development for software engineers or machine learning for AI programmers, will further benefit from a training school’s integrated coursework and continued guidance.

Who Might Find It Worthwhile?

Professionals who will only use Java occasionally or work alongside Java programmers could still benefit from a Java course. Being able to understand the language’s terminology, techniques, and tools helps anyone collaborating on a Java-based project. Java is a useful skill for cross-training, increasing an employee’s value when they can assist with coding projects. Finally, introductory Java classes also explain many concepts in computer science, improving computer literacy. 

Independent developers, researchers, or product engineers might want to know Java as an option when creating products or work tools. A formal Java course can help these workers add a valuable skill more quickly. A Java class focused on a relevant project type such as data analysis can teach necessary techniques even faster, without requiring a comprehensive education in the language. A live instructor may also be able to address specific interests within their lessons and provide advice about a student’s planned projects.

Who Probably Doesn’t Need a Java Class?

Those who are only curious about Java but don’t plan to use the language themselves and won’t be employed in a field that uses Java probably don’t need a formal Java course. These individuals can learn more about Java through free tutorials available through many sources. Hobbyists and entrepreneurs who might benefit from knowing Java but don’t have a specific, urgent project in mind could study with on-demand courses. These courses are inexpensive, generally of higher quality than free resources, and allow students to study at their own pace. Finally, programmers already familiar with Java but needing help with an unfamiliar technique or tool might not benefit as much from a formal Java course. For these coders, a video tutorial or a 1-on-1 session with a tutor might be a more cost-effective option to learn the specific elements they need.

Learn Java Skills With Noble Desktop

NextGen Bootcamp hosts a Java Programming Summer Program both live online and in-person in New York City. This bootcamp course teaches professional Java coding to high school and college students. The course takes about two weeks on a full-time schedule, beginning with an introduction to programming that grounds each concept with its corresponding uses in Java. Students then continue through lessons on more complex topics like file management, object-oriented programming, and recursion. In addition to class instruction, students receive a proprietary workbook, complete practical projects, and can review the recordings of each class session. After completing this program, students receive a verified digital certificate.

For adult learners, Noble Desktop offers online Java Private Tutoring in three-hour increments. This instruction is 1-on-1 and personalized to each student. Though designed primarily for beginners with little or no programming experience, the tutoring program progresses quickly to higher-level programming concepts and includes a complete, original project suitable for a starting portfolio. Students can also use this course to prepare for further computer science studies.

Students who are interested in Java primarily for its use in web development might prefer Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. This professional training program is presented in person in New York City or live online and is available for either full-time or part-time study. Students need no prior programming experience, as the course begins with an introduction to web development and its most important languages, HTML and CSS. The instructor follows this introduction with more advanced lessons on HTML and CSS, front end web development tools, and JavaScript and its commonly used web design libraries. The program concludes with additional lessons and career guidance for the web development industry. This program includes ten 1-on-1 mentoring sessions to further assist students, proprietary workbooks, multiple portfolio projects, and a certificate of completion. Graduates may retake the course once for free for up to one year.

Python is another high-level, general-purpose programming language used for many of the same projects as Java. Students seeking training in computing fields like web development, software engineering, or data analysis should consider studying Python in addition to Java. Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate program is a complete professional training course offered in-person in New York City or live online anywhere. This course requests that students have prior experience coding in HTML and CSS, such as taught in an introductory web design or web development class. This knowledge will help in the program’s second unit, which teaches web development using Python, following the introductory unit that introduces Python’s fundamental terms, syntax, and techniques. Students may choose one of three bonus units to conclude their Python studies: Data Science, Data Visualization, or Machine Learning. The complete program takes several weeks of full-time study but includes several portfolio-quality projects and four 1-on-1 mentoring sessions to help with difficult topics or career preparation. Students also receive a certificate upon completion and may retake the course once for free within one year.