Preface

January, 2016

Java is a programming language that can run in multi platform and multi device. Java slogan is "Write once, run anywhere" (WORA). Once you write a program using Java, you can run almost at all computers and other devices that support Java, with little change or even no change at all in the code.

This programming language developed in The Green Project in 1991 by Sun Microsystem and released in 1995, and then Sun Microsystem acquired by Oracle in 2010. The name of Java is chosen by its founder, James Gosling, because he likes coffee directly milled from a milling machine very much, where this type of coffee comes from Java Island in Indonesia.

Java becomes one of popular programming language. According to TIOBE, a software quality company that has several years of efforts to make a popular programming language rankings in the world that realized in the TIOBE Programming Community Index form in December 2015 edition, Java is still the most popular programming language in the first rank.

TIOBE programming community index is a measure of popularity of programming languages, created and maintained by TIOBE. You can find update of TIOBE programming community index in http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html.

Java becomes one of the most popular programming languages with several reasons. This programming language has many advantages, such as can run in different operating system, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), and has complete library that will greatly facilitate programmers, so it's very powerful. And today is the era where Android smartphones are very widely used. Applications in the Android smartphone are built using the Java language.

Java is open source technology. It means you can see the source code, and develop and custom it according to your own purpose. Java is used to develop various types of applications, from console application, desktop application, enterprise-scale application, to mobile application. To fulfill the different applications needs, Java categorized into three editions:

1. Java SE (Standard Edition) - to develop desktop application and client-server application.
2. Java EE (Enterprise Edition) - to develop multi-tier enterprise-scale application.
3. Java ME (Micro Edition) - to develop application that can be run on micro devices or mobile devices.

Anyone who wants to start to learn Java, must learn from Java SE. Java SE is basic and core of Java Programming. After mastering Java basic (Java SE), you can choose whether you want to continue to Java EE or Java ME. Usually, people who learn Java basic don't get any issue to learn it. But when entering Java EE, one big question will appear: What should I learn? Because unlike Microsoft platform, there are so many technologies called "framework" used to build Java EE based application.

All roads lead to Rome. Every framework has its own way and own style. Every framework has own its advantages and disadvantages, but they are in same goal: to build robust and powerful Java application. For advanced user, this is good. Because they can choose and use proper framework that suitable with their needs. But for new comer in Java, this can be confusing.

I've done a little research on the needs of Java programmers in the world. Actually, there are also some companies who are looking for beginner (basic) Java programmers. Usually they will provide specific training to the programmers to enhance their Java skills fit to the company's needs. But, most of company are looking for advanced Java programmer, specially Java EE programmer with qualification in several famous Java framework. The fact is, company pays higher for advanced Java Programmers.

The following are some of Java EE framework and other related technologies that are sought by many companies: JPA, Hibernate, iBATIS, JSF, PrimeFaces, RichFaces, XHTML, JSP, Servlet, AJAX,  jQuery, EJB, Struts, Spring, JBoss, Tomcat, GlassFish, Weblogic, WebSphere, Web Services, Eclipse, NetBeans. That's not all. There are still many other Java EE frameworks. But don't worry, you don't have to mastering all. But like I said, a new comer in Java will be confused, which framework should I learn?

From the list of framework above, I already tried almost all of them. I've been  worked in system development in several IT consultants and software houses. In reality, many application development works are system enhancement or customization. So you don't have any option to choose framework. But for creation new application, you have to create from scratch. It is good if company already have framework standardization. But if not, you have to choose which framework should be used.

Yes, You don't have to mastering all framework. And I think in the fact, none of people mastering all of Java framework. But, of course you want the company to pay you high, right? As the fundamental for you in obtaining a good job as a Java programmer, you must mastering several framework. Which one? I've been using various of Java EE framework. And I found the most powerful stack of frameworks (at least for me). This uses MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern. The stack of frameworks is:

• Model: Hibernate
• View: JSF + RichFaces
• Controller: Spring

With this stack of frameworks, you can do rapid application development. It's also not too difficult to learn it compared to other frameworks.

For summary, this blog will teach all techniques of programming in Java SE, which is the core of Java programming. You will be invited to get to know, understand, practice, and able to implement the concepts required in basic Java programming. The Java SE material in this blog will start from the simplest, the mastery of basic elements of program such as: architecture in Java program, Java program creation, compilation technique, data type, operator, control structure, and so on. You also will be invited to know what Object Oriented Programming is and how is its implementation in Java.

After mastering Java SE, This blog will take you to enter Java EE, start from its concept, and also its implementation using stack of frameworks I mentioned above. To make you fully understanding of Java EE implementation, this blog will give sample of application development: how to create Employee Management application from scratch using the stack of frameworks.

This blog is dedicated to anyone who is interested in learning Java programming. All material in this blog are presented in tutorial dialect and immediately accompanied by examples of programs that will be easy to understand. To make you easier to learn all the material presented, within this blog you can download all resources (such as installer, library, etc.) that are needed. The final goal of this blog is to guide, lead, and deliver you to become a high valuable Java programmer.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Have a nice learn..