Good afternoon, dear Javarashites and Javarashites! I’ve been studying JavaRush for two years now and this month I’m going to renew my subscription for a third year (the article began to be written in December 2018). Study is delayed. And I thought that maybe completing JavaRush is no longer studying, but something else? When I started the JavaRush course, I had different goals in mind. First of all, pleasure. I always wanted to learn how to program and I tried to learn it several times. Code listings and programming books fascinated me. And I felt a mystical awe of the IDE.
Figure 1. The joy of programming.
Secondly, getting a second profession. The situation here is not clear-cut. On the one hand, I am completely satisfied with my current profession in terms of the money I receive. And the current place of work is excellent. On the other hand, the profession is not my favorite thing and my spiritual desire is directed towards programming. Another consideration is that programming has good prospects. And in my profession, over time, only highly qualified specialists will remain. I am a mid-highly qualified specialist; there should be enough work for the next 10 years. But a plan B never hurts. In addition, my current specialization is so narrow that they simply won’t hire me anywhere else when I leave. Again I feel the importance of plan B.
Figure 2. Plan B.
Thirdly, programming is an exact science. And the study of exact sciences best promotes the development of thinking and serves as an excellent prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Although some studies show that it does not help (nothing helps), but I am hopeful. After all, even one hope is much more than nothing.
Figure 3. No Alzheimer's
Fourthly, learning Java helps you find common topics to discuss with your son. He is also an AT specialist, although he writes in C and C++ and is interested in game design. I have achieved my goals and this is no longer enough. Even if I can't work as a programmer, maybe I can get enough from Java as a hobby? As you know, people do hobbies in their free time from work for the sake of pleasure. I think learning Java, especially with JavaRush, can be fun. At least it brings it to me. Probably because I love puzzles. And problem solving and writing programs make great puzzles.
Figure 4. Hobby as pleasure
So changing jobs is not the only motivation for studying for me. And given the age, motivation is unlikely. So what is this study for me? I suspect that it is gradually turning into a hobby for me. Because... Hobbies have such pleasant functions as relaxation and rest. Of course, the solution to recursion problems from Laforet’s book “Java Data Structures and Algorithms” cannot be perceived in this way. This will cause laughter. But, if you treat rest as a change of activity. Moreover, a change to an activity that brings pleasure, then why not? Visiting JavaRush is relaxation for me, not work. Anyway.
Figure 5. Java Data Structures, Relaxation, Relaxation
Studying at JR provides the student with a social circle, which is also a hallmark of the hobby. I wouldn’t say that I communicate actively, but I communicate. Including by asking questions to site visitors or providing answers to their questions. And the articles themselves that I write for JR are also a way of communication. So we can communicate in different ways.
Figure 6. Me and my social circle on JavaRush
Potentially, a hobby has such a wonderful feature as the possibility of monetization. This is the same case mentioned in the saying “Find something you love and you will never have to work a day.” Not every business you like can bring in money, much less in an amount that can feed you. Java is just one of those things. In any case, being interested in Java, I have accumulated a certain amount of knowledge and skills. It can be monetized by getting a corresponding paid job. Or get an Oracle certificate and teach children information technology at the municipal level. It will bring less money, but it will be an excellent addition to your pension.
Figure 7. Hobby monetization
It's better to be healthy, happy and rich than the other way around. I have nothing to say about the impact of Java and JR on health and wealth. But as for improving your mood, this is the influence of Java, because learning it is fun and brings joy. It seemed like you were doing boring things, but your mood was improving!
Figure 8. Java improves the mood of a Javarash resident (without registration and SMS).
I postulate an axiom - it’s good to be smart. What does it mean to be smart? This means being able to think, that is, being able to reason intelligently and logically. To be able to do it, because just knowing how to do it is not enough. Here I am, I know the rules of the road. But sometimes I cross the street at a red light. It turns out I know the rules, but I don’t know how to apply them. And what is the use of this knowledge in this case if I don’t know how to apply it? None. So is thinking. Knowledge itself is not enough; you need to be able to apply it - wisely and logically. And the next question that arises here is how to learn this? And we need to train our thinking. How? There is an opinion among groups of comrades that the exact sciences are well suited for this. Programming is an exact science. And Java is very well suited as a language to learn. So such a hobby will also develop thinking.
Figure 9. JavaRush develops thinking
By the way, about the fact that Java is good for learning, more about this is written in the article by Elleanor Kerry. It is also impossible not to mention the gamification of learning using JavaRush. It's interesting to study. I wouldn’t say that JR’s gamification attracts and engages me, but it definitely enlivens the learning process. Studying with JavaRush is comfortable from the point of view of choosing your own pace and study schedule. In this sense, a hobby can last a lifetime.
Figure 10. Gamification of learning using JavaRush.
And one last thing. Odes to IT specialties can be heard from every iron. They say that these are the most promising and lucrative professions. Maybe. But there is another, quite reasonable point of view. According to her, a programmer is not the most promising profession . And if this is so, then what remains for us? In this case, we are left with Java as a hobby!
GO TO FULL VERSION