Learn Java from Scratch

Yesterday I talked with a freshman from one of the local (Singapore) private university. Now he starts learning Java language. The curriculum required him to learn Java very fast with the small amount of introductory material. It translate to he has to do considerable amount of individual unsupervised work.

It good though that the university requires him to learn the Java language the hard way. Use text editor only and command line.

Next after they learn Object Oriented Application Development, they will be allowed to use sophisticated commercial development tools, such as IntelliJ IDEA which is available at his campus.

I still believe and support the idea that a better fundamental will be shaped when students learn Java the hard way, that is start from the command line compiler and the command line JVM invocation.