So, you have decided to become a Java programmer. A reasonable question immediately arises: “Where to start?” In this article, we will talk about how to learn programming from scratch with CodeGym. What features does the course have, what stages is the training divided into and what sections of the site should be used to make the training as effective as possible.
The CodeGym course is somewhat similar to a computer game. It is divided into four quests , each of which has a general idea. For example, Java Syntax is the first quest: it teaches the basic syntax of the language. At the beginning of the training, the user can choose which scenario the quest will follow. For lovers of learning in a game format, literary (plot) or gamified scenarios are suitable, for those who prefer a minimum of water, a classic one. In turn, each quest consists of ten levels(except for the initial quest: it has from 10 to 21 levels (depending on the scenario chosen by the user and on the starting level of knowledge, but they are shorter than subsequent ones). They must be completed sequentially. The levels are filled with lectures and tasks of varying complexity. To go to the next level , you need to solve most of the tasks at the current level, because a successful solution gives you a certain amount of "dark matter", which can be used to open the following lectures and problems.
2. Practice programming from the first lessons
Practice in our Java tutorial (CodeGym course) includes tasks of various formats. They differ in "chronology":
Part of the tasks is to consolidate the theoretical material from the lecture in front of them;
Another part is aimed at repeating the previously covered theory from earlier levels;
The third tasks are " problems from the future ": they are given based on the materials of the next one, two or three levels. Yes, you didn't think so. This is done on purpose. Do you want to solve a problem now, but you do not have enough knowledge? Google it! This is an extremely useful skill for a programmer. Well, if you want to move consistently, just put the task aside and return to it after a couple of levels, when you get to the necessary theory.
As well as the scale and level of complexity:
Code coding - tasks for beginners. Sometimes a future programmer just needs to get his hands on it and feel the code. To do this, you simply "copy" from the sample;
Parsing someone else's code and finding errors. Well, you get the idea. There are also such tasks;
Writing your own code to fulfill the list of conditions in the task;
Bonus tasks. These tasks are of increased complexity for self-study and for the development of algorithmic thinking;
Mini projects. These are tasks broken into several subtasks, as a result of the gradual solution of which you will create relatively complex and large programs. For example, the game "Sokoban" or online chat. Such tasks will appear approximately in the middle of the course;
Videos. Sometimes it is useful to switch to another activity. On CodeGym, such an activity is watching videos about IT people.
There are so many tasks that, having completed the course to the end, you simply cannot help but become a programmer!
3. Instant verification of the result and tools to improve your code
The most important feature of CodeGym, which distinguishes it from all online courses, is instant automatic problem checking, hints and recommendations for solutions . With CodeGym, you don't have to wait long for a teacher to check your problem: you click on one button, and in a moment you get the result and recommendations if something is wrong with the solution.
4. Help in solving problems
Learning to code doesn't have to be like sailing alone on a raft in the middle of the ocean. You need to communicate. To do this, CodeGym first of all has a " Help " section. If you are stuck on a task from the course for a long time or cannot understand a complex topic, ask a question in a special section . One of the students, developers or administration of the resource will definitely help you. And also, when you feel strong in yourself, it will be very useful to go to the "Help" section in order to help someone with their studies. Here you have to understand someone else's code. For those who need a "magic pendel" to study regularly, CodeGym came up with a kick schedule. The kick manager can be manually configured for the necessary days of study - it will remind you when it is necessary: a push notification will be sent in the CodeGym mobile application. The kick schedule initially included the option of reminders for every day and weekends. There is also a button "Score for study", which is needed if you decide to arrange a mini-vacation for yourself.
Upon completion of the course, the student receives 300-500 hours of real programming experience! Also, this course is a great tool for those who have already learned programming for beginners, but do not know where to start looking for a job. In addition to practice during the passage of CodeGym, you will be able to sort out the main questions that you will have to answer at the interview, as well as write a competent resume.
Learning platforms: website and mobile application
You have two options to learn the basics of Java programming with CodeGym: on the Android mobile app or on the web. We talk more about everything in this material .
Stages of the course
CodeGym is the most complete Java tutorial in Russian. The main course will give you a complete understanding of Java Core, and the subsequent practice will help you learn how to work with more advanced technologies. So learning on CodeGym can be divided into two main parts.
Learning Java Core, that is, the "core of the Java language" and solving those same 1200 tasks with auto-checking. What is in the know?
Short theoretical lectures full of live examples;
Tasks, mini-projects;
Motivational lectures (open the level) and videos that will help you keep the “charge” to complete the course to the end;
Polls on the passed material (initial levels).
How is the training going? The first level is a kind of introduction to the world of CodeGym, characters and teaching methods. Tasks appear from the first lessons, and you can solve them right on the site. In the third level of training, there is a special lesson on installing IntelliJ IDEA, a popular development environment used by Java programmers. By installing it and the CodeGym plugin, you can solve problems not only in the web version, but also on your PC. This will be especially useful at the next levels of the course, when larger tasks begin, and from the second half of the course - mini-projects , bonus tasks. Once you reach level 35 on the course (regardless of the chosen scenario), you can sign up for an online internship .
Stage 2: online internship
For several months, students learn the principles and technologies that are important for the future Java developer under the supervision of an experienced mentor. During the internship, you will write 8 cool projects for your portfolio, from games to apps like to-do lists and a Jira-style task board. For these projects, you will receive feedback from the mentor and will be able to add them to your GitHub portfolio. Another bonus of an online internship with CodeGym is the help from our career center in preparing and finding your first job. You'll get advice from career experts on how to write resumes, cover letters, how to get interviews, and what to do to land a great job. Recruitment for an internship is held once a month.
Course Platforms
You can learn to program in CodeGym on a computer, or you can use a mobile application , for example, on the way to work. A subscription purchased on the site works for both the desktop version and the mobile app. If you buy a subscription in the mobile version, it is worth considering that you can only use the application. If you started small and purchased a subscription for a mobile application, and later decided to study on the site, contact support, we will show you how to achieve this.
Useful sections of CodeGym
The course is the most important! Pass all - become a cool Java programmer! Tasks — 1200 practical tasks. They can be opened separately from the course, but only those of them that you have already reached will be available for solution. Detailed information about the "Tasks" section can be found in this video . Help is the collective mind of CodeGym students and specialists. Just ask your question on a theory or a practical problem, and they will definitely help you. The coolest features of the "Help" section can be found here . Articles- a section that combines posts from different interest groups and cities. They were created to discuss the project and everything related to study - theory, tasks, questions for interviews. Join groups of interest, read articles by CodeGym alumni, students, and editors, and post your own if you have something to say! Success Stories is a special group in which students and alumni of CodeGym talk about how they managed to conquer Java and get a job. Gamesis a section with projects for writing simple but exciting games: "Snakes", "2048", obstacle races, space shooters. All projects are divided into subtasks. By following them step by step, you will write your own version. Projects are divided by complexity. There are those that are within the power of students who have completed 5 levels of the course, and there are those for which a level 10+ is required.
Video - on our official YouTube channel you will find video presentations by students of the CodeGym project, video reviews, various useful instructions, translations of the best foreign lectures on programming, and much more.
Where to chat with the CodeGym team
Any question related to the course, you can ask by writing an email to support@codegym.cc or in the chat on the site. We also communicate with students on social networks:
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