This is the process wherein developers write the code that tells a computer how to run applications and respond to user inputs. Learning to code is akin to learning a language since each programming language has its own grammar, syntax and vocabulary that a student needs to learn. One of the best programming languages for new students to learn is Java since it is a versatile language that is used in all manner of computer science projects. Developed in 1995, Java is most famous for its Write Once, Run Anywhere syntax that lets students write and compile code on any machine or operating system. This transferability makes learning Java a useful first programming language for students to learn.
1) NextGen Bootcamp: Java Programming Summer Program
Students looking for a comprehensive introduction to Java programming should consider enrolling in NextGen Bootcamp’s Java Programming Summer course. This course is designed for students looking to learn the basics of computer science and aims to provide a detailed introduction to reading, writing, and compiling code in Java. This course will teach students the basics of writing programs using industry-standard functional and object-oriented algorithms. Once students have completed the class, they will have practice thinking like programmers and an understanding of how professional computer scientists analyze a problem. Students will accomplish this by completing hands-on coding activities, and they will leave the course with a portfolio of working Java programs.
This course also serves a practical function for high school students since high school AP computer science classes and 100-level college programming classes tend to emphasize Java heavily in their curriculum. Learning the language will help prepare students for long-term success in their more advanced programming courses. In addition, since Java is among the most accessible languages, once students have learned the basics, their skills will be easily transferable to other programming languages such as Python or JavaScript. This course is intended as a beginner-friendly introduction intended for students and, as such, requires no prior programming experience. Since the program emphasizes basic computer programming skills, it is also a great place for programming novices to learn to read and write code.
Students who have completed the course speak highly of the program's depth and of the Java programming education they received. They also spoke positively about the ways in which their instructors make difficult concepts accessible. One student wrote that their instructor “made complex stuff feel approachable.” Another student wrote that the course made them “extremely confident in my programming skills, and I feel like I gained a genuine understanding of how coding works and how it is essential to all areas within programming.” Regardless of your experience or level of comfort with programming, this course is an ideal introduction to Java and the critical thinking skills you will need to succeed as a programmer.
2) NextGen Bootcamp: Computer Science Certificate Summer Program
Students looking to learn Java as a part of a more expansive computer science education should consider enrolling in NextGen Bootcamp’ Computer Science Summer Certificate Program. In this course, students will learn the basics of computer programming through hands-on lessons in writing and compiling Java code. Students will learn how computers read code and how programmers approach difficult problems when working on a computer science project. Using their Java knowledge, students will learn to think like programmers since the act of programming requires students to work within the confines of the language they are writing in. Learning these critical thinking skills will be vital to students’ success in further computer science courses, and it is an easily transferable skill that students can take with them into other walks of life.
Once students have completed their introduction to Java programming, they will start to work with Python, one of the other most popular programming languages in the world. Students will learn to use Python to work on data science projects, including building databases, writing programs to organize and query databases, and writing applications that automatically collect user data. With this knowledge, students will start to work on advanced data science projects, including learning how to begin programming machine learning algorithms that can read and interpret data using artificial intelligence software. This training will encourage students to pursue more advanced data science skills or apply data analytics practices to their work.
Students who have completed this program speak positively about the scope of the course and the skills that they learned. One student wrote, “we covered much of the content that I was hoping to cover, and all was easily understood. The instructor was very nice and taught the information in a way that was easy to follow and understand.” Another student was pleased with the amount of content covered, saying, “I learned a lot of Java in only 9 days.”
3) Borough of Manhattan Community College: Introduction to Programming with Java
High school seniors and recently graduated incoming freshmen may want to consider getting a jump-start on their computer science training by enrolling in a course like the Borough of Manhattan Community College’s live, online Introduction to Programming with Java course. Students enrolled in this course will receive hands-on Java programming instruction that teaches them foundational coding skills. The lessons emphasize Java’s function in mobile applications and web development, but the skills are transferable to almost all computer science projects. By the end of the course, students will have built a collection of Java applications that they can add to their professional development portfolio.
Courses like this are ideal places for students to receive introductory training in various skills. These classes are aimed at students without prior coding experience, and they aim to teach students the basics of reading, writing, and compiling code. This makes these courses a good place for students to introduce themselves to significant concepts that underscore computer science such as how to debug your code or how to read large programs and identify common syntax structures. Learning the basics of Java in a course such as this is a good way for students who aren’t sure where they want their computer science training to take them to start learning the foundational skills that will be applicable in all computer science courses.
4) Developer Bootcamp: Java Programmer Bootcamp
Students who are 18 or older and are looking for a more advanced online Java programming course may want to consider a program like Developer Bootcamp’s Java Programmer Bootcamp. In this course, students will receive a hybrid live and on-demand, flexible Java programming education covering the basics of writing object-oriented programming and the advanced functionalities of the Java programming language. Students will learn how to use Java to handle runtime issues and build functional Java applications that can run on web browsers and webpages. Students will work with Java Development Kit to learn how to build frameworks and web service applications using the language. While the course requires students to have prior experience with the Java programming language, anyone who enrolls in the course can attend Developer Bootcamp’s Learn to Program with Java introductory course free of charge.
This course aims to provide students with a hands-on introduction to Java's more advanced development features, with an emphasis on writing programs that run on distributed networks, with an emphasis on JSP, Servlets, and JDBC. Since this course leverages students’ Java skills, the curriculum is designed with complex programming projects and development work in mind. Students who enroll in this program will receive a comprehensive education in Java programming. This course is ideal for students who suspect that they want to learn how to build complex web applications using the language. Students who complete the course will leave having developed several working Java applications that they can add to their personal portfolio.
5) iDTech: Coding Apps with Java
While it is no longer the most popular programming language, Java is one of the most commonly used programming languages for web and mobile application development. Students interested in this component of the development process may want to consider a course like iDTech’s Coding Apps with Java, in which students will learn practical Java programming skills as they work on hands-on projects developing their own simple applications. Students will learn how to work with arrays, loops, and if-statements to create working, interactive applications and games that run web browsers. This course is designed with Java novices in mind, so students with no prior experience can enroll in the course and learn to build their own applications by the end of the week.
Students enrolled in this class will work on a variety of different application design projects culminating with the development of a working Tic-Tac-Toe video game. Students will program the look of the application, they will build an AI system to play against, and they will program a system for communicating information and rules to the players. By the end of the course, students will have built a fully functional application and they will begin working on a personal project that they will be able to share with their cohort. Students who complete this course will be able to add these programs to their college application or professional development portfolios, and they will be able to build on these application development skills with further Java training or with training in complementary programming languages.
6) iDTech: Computer Science with Java
iDTech also offers a more robust Java programming course in their Computer Science with Java summer seminar. This two-week course aims to help students develop a familiarity with basic computer programming skills, including a foundational understanding of programming algorithms and applications using Java. Students enrolled in this course will begin by learning how to read and write code before moving on to more advanced lessons on programming logic, including implementations such as loops, arrays, and conditional statements. Once students are comfortable understanding these foundational concepts, they will begin learning how to write object-oriented programs for practical purposes such as the development of simple applications.
Students will apply their new programming knowledge to hands-on application and algorithm development projects in the latter five sessions. Students will learn how to think like programmers and approach challenges with an understanding of the affordances and limitations of their programming knowledge. Students will write data storage algorithms and develop functioning applications that receive and respond to user input. The work they do in this course can be added to the application materials that students can show prospective college admissions boards or employers. This class offers students a practical, hands-on introduction to Java development and programming, making it a solid place to build a foundation of computer science knowledge.
7) Columbia University: Computer Programming for Beginners: Coding in Java
Many colleges and universities offer pre-college training courses for high school students looking to lay the groundwork for pursuing a college degree in computer science. These courses such as Columbia University’s Programming for Beginners: Coding in Java, provide students with a robust summer programming education and experience working in a college-level learning environment. Columbia’s Coding in Java class offers an introduction to the world of computer science, emphasizing the computational thinking and logical reasoning skills that students will develop as they become more and more familiar with Java. The course will emphasize teaching students the problem-solving skills that they will develop as they learn more and more about programming languages.
Students in this course will receive hands-on, practical Java training in object-oriented programming concepts, algorithms, and techniques. Their training will take place by way of classroom-style lectures, guided hands-on lab work, and collaborative projects that students will design and program. All the labs will take place on cross-platform Java runtime environments connected to students’ hardware, so students will be expected to bring a laptop to class each day. This program offers a solid foundation for students looking to pursue an education in computer science, and the work that students do in this course can help make their application materials more competitive during college application season.
8) Vision Tech Camps: Java Programming Camps
High school students interested in an immersive summer coding experience may want to consider a course such as Vision Tech Camps Java Programming course. In this course, students will spend a week learning Java, prepping for high school AP computer science courses, and building working Java applications. This program aims to provide students with an introduction to computer programming through lessons centering on Java. After students are comfortable with the basic practices of reading and writing simple Java programs, they will get hands-on instruction working with more complex Java concepts such as methods, object-oriented programming logic, elaborate algorithms, and different varieties of data structures.
Once students are comfortable with the theories and concepts behind Java, they will start working on design and development projects, including simple games and robotic scripts. Students will learn to build Java applications with graphical elements, user controls, and interactive input features. By the end of the class, students will have built fully functioning applications and source code that they can take with them when applying to more advanced computer science training programs. This course is designed with beginners in mind, so students don’t need any prior programming experience. The course allows students to learn at dedicated, high-tech training centers and work alongside fellow programmers on collaborative projects.
9) CodeWizards HQ: Introduction to Java and Intermediate Java
CodeWizardsHQ offers a pair of summer high school Java training courses in their Java I: Introduction to Java and Java II: Intermediate Java. These summer courses offer students the chance to learn the basics of Java, build on their existing Java training or receive comprehensive Java training. Both courses provide students with practical, hands-on experience programming with Java, personalized support from instructors, and project-driven curricula that will have students building working Java applications by the end of the three-week term. Students are welcome to enroll in either level of the course or both courses over two of the three summer sessions that CodeWizardsHQ offers. Since Java is such a versatile programming language, any level of familiarity with the language is transferable to other computer science courses, and since Java is the primary language of the AP computer science curriculum, these courses can help students prepare for those exams.
In the Java I course, students will get an introduction to object-oriented programming and become familiar with the basics of reading and writing code in Java. This is a beginner-friendly course that allows students the chance to learn the basics of computer science with no prior programming experience required. Students will learn how to work with Java data arrays and understand complex Java concepts like recursion to write clean code that addresses real-world problems. By the end of the course, students will be working on building simple, interactive games using Java. In the advanced course, students will work with object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance, composition, and polymorphism to build practical applications that mirror the kind of real-world game and software development projects that heavily utilize Java. This track is ideal for students looking to learn complex Java skills, build real-world applications and prepare to pass an AP computer science exam.
10) The Coder School: Java Camp
One of the main reasons that high school students may want to learn Java is to help them prepare for an accreditation course such as an AP Comp Sci program. These students may benefit from enrolling in a course that directly emphasizes this kind of training in its design such as The Coder School’s Java Camp. This course is structured around the curriculum concerns that most commonly appear on the high school AP Comp Sci completion exams, and the course intends to give students with a background in coding a chance to practice their skills in preparation for a year-long AP course. All of the focused Java lessons offered in the course are drawn from practical scenarios that students may encounter in an AP Computer Science “A” course or on their final AP computer science exams. The Coder School consciously designs all of its course materials and lectures around these exams to ensure that students leave the program with the tools they need to succeed in their AP computer science courses.
If you are considering enrolling in this course, you’ll run into the practical question of how important the AP computer science exam is to your long-term Java training goals. This course is heavily focused on preparing students for the AP Computer Science “A” course, so how useful you find it will depend on whether or not passing that course is your primary goal. Students invested in passing it should give this program a deeper look, while students interested in learning practical programming skills may not find much to take away from a course that they couldn’t receive in a more generalist training program. This extra training can be a massive boon to students who have planned out the steps they want to take to achieve long-term success, as AP courses can be so important for students applying to competitive college programs.
Why Enroll in a Java Summer Program?
Learning Java over the summer can serve many practical purposes for students looking to expand their knowledge of computer science and build productive, long-term career skills. While it’s lost some presence on the market in recent years, Java is still one of the most popular online coding languages in the world. According to Statista, it’s used by 30.55% of all coding professionals. Java helps developers in many ways, including:
- Web Application Coding: Java is used in many online applications, including social media platforms, enterprise systems, and even ecommerce sites. It can even help you program various games that you can share online for profit or fun, depending on your interests and abilities.
- Mobile Application Development: According to Grandview Research, the mobile application market is worth nearly $100 billion globally and will only grow in the coming years! Most of these apps are fueled by Java, which means this language will stay relevant for a long time.
- Internet of Things: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a powerful concept that fuels Smart technology and other innovations. Java frameworks like Eclipse IoT and Kura help make IoT development easier and keep Java even more relevant in today’s coding world, especially in UI and UX development.
- Artificial Intelligence Development: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken off in recent years and is likely to only become more important in our everyday lives. While languages like C++, JavaScript, and Python are all more commonly used in AI, Java is only a step behind them in popularity.
Learning Java in a summer program is especially rewarding, particularly for older children and teens. Rather than having to balance coding classes with their day-to-day courses, they can learn in the summer while on vacation. Most use a camp-like feel that encourages socialization with other children interested in programming. That makes it easier for teens and children to find people in their specific niche, build social skills, and even earn teens college credits for later!
Master Practical Computer Knowledge
Students who study Java practice important practical computer skills that can improve their ability to understand basic coding and other important concepts. Students will not only learn the practical applications of computer science but also master other important skills that make them better coders. No matter what you or your teen’s interest (such as web development, game programming, or AI), Java can teach you many important skills, like:
- Basic Java Syntax: Like all coding languages, Java includes an intensive syntax of phrases and libraries that make it usable. By mastering these skills, you’ll better understand this language and coding in general (more on both topics later on below).
- Advanced Java Ecosystem: Java concepts like frameworks, build tools, and testing libraries help streamline coding efficiency and improve your programming success. Understanding these abilities can help you transition to more expert-level coding.
- Database Management: Java works well with important database languages such as SQL, MySQL, and MongoDB. Understanding these concepts can help you work in more intensive fields such as AI, data security, and even database management.
- Soft Skills: Attending a Java coding summer camp teaches not only hard computer skills but also soft ones. You’ll understand Agile methodologies (Scrum and Kanban) to improve your coding efficiency and achieve better results.
Understand an Important Coding Language
Students who take Java in summer classes will learn how to approach new kinds of challenges with an eye turned toward utilizing these programming skills to effectively address those difficulties. That’s because, since its debut in 1995, Java has stayed continually popular and evolved to meet multiple needs. Innovation and forward-thinking tools—particularly online—have continually used Java to provide real-world tools for real problems. It can help to create:
- Desktop GUI applications, including tools like Acrobat Reader, for every-day usage.
- Web applications that make the internet easier to use such as interfaces for Amazon
- Popular web applications that millions of people use such as Google Earth and Tinder
- Enterprise applications to help customers interact with websites safely and efficiently
- Science programs that help sync testing results across multiple platforms
- Web servers (such as Apache Tomcat) that keep the internet humming and buzzing
- Systems embedded in larger devices such as Blue-Ray or DVD players
- J2ME apps on Android and iOS devices, including Nokia and Samsung phones
Expand Critical Thinking Skills
During Java coding classes, students learn critical thinking skills and start thinking like programmers. Programming is a complex skill that, once mastered, challenges your cognitive abilities like nothing else. You’ll not only need to understand complex logic concepts like if/else statements but also know how to glance at your code and quickly grasp how it operates. Only with time and practice can you practice these skills intuitively to solve complex problems.
In this way, enhancing your critical thinking is a valuable skill that can be applied outside your Java training. In addition, learning Java is like learning every other language; it offers you a new means of communicating with the world and understanding how aspects of the world function (more on that later). Furthermore, you’ll learn other important abilities that can transform your grasp of not just coding but the world in general such as:
- Debugging: When you run into problems with your code, you’ll need to figure out what’s wrong…a process known as “debugging.” It requires patience and focus; these skills can enhance your general problem-solving in your day-to-day life outside of coding.
- Algorithmic Thinking: Coding requires utilizing algorithms to solve many complex problems. Don’t let the term algorithm scare you! They’re honestly not that hard to learn, and once you master them, you can use them daily in your coding career and beyond.
- Creativity: Programming and coding are not just logical exercises but creative ones! Sure, there are resources you can use to get help, but coming up with effective coding lines requires a lot of creativity and will improve your overall abilities in amazing ways.
Easily Master Other Languages
Learning Java will also provide students with a foundational knowledge of computer science that they can apply to their further studies. It’s true that many programmers use only one language or minor variations for their whole career. For example, many web application developers learn Java and happily code fun and engaging apps for online use. However, mastering multiple ones can improve your ability to find a job and make it easier to transition to full-time work.
Thankfully, learning a language like Java will make mastering additional programming languages much easier to handle. Syntax like Kotlin, Python, Haskell, Scala, Go, Clojure, and C# are similar enough to Java (while varying from it) to make them easier to master after completing a Java course. These alternatives are useful in a variety of different fields, and mastering Java first can help you move through your training courses more easily. They include:
- Kotlin: Kotlin provides support for server-side and client-side development and was designed specifically to improve on Java. With more concise and readable code, it’s a good alternative…though is nowhere near as widely used as Java.
- TypeScript: Based on JavaScript (a language similarly named to Java but quite different in usage), TypeScript is more readable and easier to understand but doesn’t provide as diverse a range of coding options as Java or JavaScript.
- Python: Python was designed specifically to be easy to use, which means it’ll be simple to master after learning Go. It works well for beginners and has modules and libraries that make coding simpler…but it’s also prone to more mistakes than Java.
- Go: Developed by Google, Go (or Golang) is designed for speed, simplicity, and safety. More efficient than Java and easier to learn, Go still hasn’t cut significantly into Java’s marketplace but is worth learning as an alternative to that language.
Transition Into a Coding Career
Mastering Java can help you either a) become a weekend-warrior coder, i.e., somehow programs for fun on the side, or b) transition into a rewarding and high-paying career in computer coding or web development. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the web development and digital design market (which hires many Java experts) will grow by 16% by 2032 and have 34,700 new jobs available for skilled experts like you.
In fact, the BLS reports that you’ll likely make $80,000 per year on average in this career or $38 per hour. That’s a very strong potential salary, especially since there are even higher-earning jobs in this field. As a result, learning Java can pay long-term dividends for students looking to become professional programmers, computer scientists, or developers. Computer and information research science is particularly rewarding financially for Java developers.
The the BLS reports a 23% career growth rate in this market by 2032 (much higher than the average of 6%), with 8,300 new jobs during this time. Expect to earn about $136,000 yearly or $65 per hour in this field. In this career, you’ll research new and innovative computer concepts, using Java and other coding languages to expand the computing world. If you’re particularly skilled in this market, you could join a startup and potentially make millions (rare but possible).
No matter what your interest, taking a Java summer course can help you transition into an amazing career, one that will pay off major dividends with time. It will take a lot of practice (you’ll have to do Java projects and keep up on your coding to start a career) and even some college education—depending on your interests—to get there. But becoming a skilled Java coder is more than worth it if you’re fascinated by coding and want to improve your career options.
Focus Your Coding Career
Since Java is such an important language in AP computer science courses and 100-level college computer science courses, learning it has the added benefit of setting students up for practical success in their programming education. After all, there are so many coding languages available in the world today…and nearly as many jobs in this field. Knowing exactly what you want to do may seem impossible, especially if your interests are quite diverse.
Let’s say that you’re (understandably) unsure which programming language you want to learn first. Maybe you’re not sold on C++ after seeing its complexities, even though you’re interested in gaming. Java might be a great option! Used heavily in web game development, it’s much easier to learn than C++ and might make it simpler to master that language later. Since Java is a ubiquitous presence in institutional training programs, it’s one you can more quickly master.
What if you’re interested in data management and engineering? Well, Python is the go-to language for that, but Java isn’t far behind! In fact, Java can help create data pipelines (alongside Scala) to make your information even easier to handle. By practicing Java alongside Python—the latter being particularly quick to learn after you master Java—you can become a skilled data expert and ensure you better understand data management.
Receive Practical and Hands-On Learning
Many of these courses also aim to provide students with practical, hands-on instruction that they can take with them into their AP and 100-level courses. On a very practical level, completing a summer training program looks good on a college application, and many schools allow students to test out of entry-level courses: that can save you time and money! With today’s ever-increasing college costs, reducing expenses is a wise investment in your future.
Furthermore, some programs offer transferable college credits as part of the course. For example, let’s say you take a summer-long Java course through a local community college or university. Available at a discounted price, these classes may help you earn 3-4 credits at a pop…an amazing investment! Imagine you’re a freshman and start taking these classes: by the time you graduate, you’ll have 12-16 credits: worth a full college semester or more.