Java Cost

Good news: Java is free to download. Most of the Java frameworks and libraries you may want to use are free as well. You can find many of these tools through the open-source Apache Commons Project. 

What is Java?

Java is both an object-oriented programming language and a software platform in itself. Its creators designed it as a “write once, run anywhere” tool. It is portable, scalable, and adaptable. An app created in Java can function across multiple platforms and over distributed networks. This flexibility makes the Java language widely useful and Java coders highly desirable to employers. Professions that use Java include Web Developer, Mobile App Developer, User Experience Designer, Data Scientist, Game Designer, and Laboratory Scientist.

Java’s modular nature allows developers to take existing pieces of code that are useful to them and then combine those modules in a new context for a new purpose. Also, programs in Java do not need to be compiled because the virtual Java Runtime Environment tool interprets the code and translates it for the computer you are using. Java’s portable and adaptable nature allows it to serve a wide range of use cases. For this reason, it has become the chosen tool of key players in the technology space: for example, the Android operating system is based on Java code. In addition to being critical for mobile app development, Java is also a crucial skill for Web Developers. It is also used for data science, game design, user experience design, and scientific applications. Many employers are eager to hire Java coders because the language is highly flexible, with many possible use cases and adaptations to new contexts.

Read more about what Java is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Java?

Knowing Java means you can code across multiple operating systems and hardware architectures without modifying your programs for a new environment. Because it is an object-oriented programming language, Java allows you to create modular units of code that you can reuse in any Java program, even across platforms and environments. You can quickly adapt code created for one use case to apply in another, as Java is highly flexible and adaptable for novel contexts. So as exciting new technologies arise, your knowledge of Java will remain relevant and desirable to employers.

Using Java also speeds up the development cycle. This is due to its unique interpretation process, which allows developers to sidestep much of the routine testing and debugging necessary when coding in other programming languages. You can use the Java Runtime Environment to keep your applications robust with its automatic memory management. The JRE also supports robust graphic interfaces through multithreading. Another advantage is that its built-in virus and tamper protection keeps your code secure.

With Java, you can build mobile applications for the Android platform and, in some cases, for iOs. If you’re into big data, you can use Java to analyze large datasets with open-source tools like Hadoop and Spark. Java’s “write once, run anywhere” functionality makes it perfect for writing cloud-based applications and powering data collection within them. Though machine learning is typically associated with Python, libraries such as Deep Learning for Java and MLib make it easy to take advantage of Java’s speed and security by providing a stable environment for deep learning or machine learning processes. Another great application for Java is programming smart household devices. Java is also useful for game design, both mobile and desktop. 

In-Depth Review of the Cost

An important factor in learning Java is that the language itself is free. So are many tools associated with it, such as frameworks and libraries. These tend to be open-source as well. (A product is called “open source” when the original code used to construct it is publicly available for anyone to reuse.) This makes Java accessible to learn. It also encourages communities of Java users to work together, often building additional frameworks and libraries that other Java coders can use. By learning to code with Java, you will also be joining a new community. 

Why Learn Java?

Java’s portability makes those who learn it highly versatile coders. Once you know Java, you can code across platforms and environments without learning a new language. After you create a module of code in Java, you can use it over and over whenever you want to, without having to rewrite it for a new context. Business owners often choose Java, not only due to its flexibility but also because it is relatively easy to learn, especially for those with previous coding experience. So, once you navigate that learning curve, you’ll have many employment options to choose from. Java is useful in many careers, from web development to data science to game design. It is particularly important for those who want to develop mobile apps because it is the base language for the Android mobile operating system.

From the coder’s perspective, working in Java is efficient because the Java Runtime Environment interprets the code for the computer your app is running on, saving you several steps that would be necessary when using other programming languages. The JRE also has built-in protections to make your code more secure. Java’s cross-platform flexibility makes it highly adaptable to new use cases, so if you want to work on exciting new technologies, your Java skills will likely apply there. 

Read more about why you should learn Java. 

Free Introductory Java Course Online 

If you’re not ready to take on an entire course yet, you can still discover the world of Java through the many free online resources available. Udemy offers a free introductory course for absolute beginners. They also have free tutorials on specialized topics, like integrating Java with MySQL, that you might want to check out later in your Java studies. The free Introduction to Java course on Coursera will take you through the operators and syntax you’ll need to write simple Java code. Udacity and freeCodeCamp each offer several free Java courses, including beginner programs. Free courses are a good option for students to learn the basics of Java, but if you want to delve deeper, you’ll likely benefit from making a financial investment in your studies.

Read about more free Java videos and online tutorials.

Learn Java with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers several options for studying Java. Its small class sizes and expert instructors make for an ideal learning environment. And if you want to enhance your knowledge further, you can always retake the class—for free. With both in-person and live online options available, you can learn Java in whichever way best fits your needs.

Noble’s Java bootcamp is a great way to learn Java quickly and well. You can do the bootcamp either in-person or live online. This program teaches practical Java skills and the computer science principles that form the foundation of Java’s effectiveness. The course covers object-oriented programming, recursion, and data structures. You’ll also discover the secrets of the interpretation process that streamlines the creation of a new program in Java. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to pass the Java SE 11 Programmer 1 Exam, helping you qualify for entry-level coding positions. In addition to the bootcamp, some of Noble’s other coding classes also include instruction in Java.

High school and college students can take summer Java classes through NextGen Bootcamp, Noble’s partner school. For those who can attend an in-person program in New York City, NextGen offers a Java programming summer camp. This 50-hour course culminates in each student creating a final project in Java, which they can include in their portfolio when applying for computer science programs. The camp also gives students a head start preparing for their AP Computer Science exam. Students who can’t make it to NYC have another option: NextGen’s live online summer Java program. Though different in the delivery method, this course offers the same content, final project, and exam preparation as the in-person course.