3-Month Java Learning + Problem Solving Roadmap (Beginner Friendly)
Target Audience: Absolute beginners (just passed 12th, no prior programming experience).
Goal: Learn Java programming from scratch with regular problem-solving practice.
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours/day
Next Step: After 3 months, start learning Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA).
Month 1: Java Basics + Fundamental Programming
Week 1:
- Introduction to Java and IDE setup (IntelliJ or Eclipse)
- Java Syntax, Variables, Data Types, Type Casting
- Input/Output using Scanner
- Operators and Expressions
- Conditionals: if-else, switch
- Loops: for, while, do-while
- Practice 5-10 simple problems per topic (e.g., pattern printing, number problems)
Week 2:
- Methods in Java - Definition, Call, Return
- Method Overloading, Recursion Basics
- Arrays 1D & 2D - Creation, Traversal, Basic Problems
- Practice problems: Max/Min, Search, Sort basics, Sum of rows/columns
Week 3:
- Strings in Java - String class, StringBuilder, Immutability
- String operations: compare, concat, substring, charAt, toCharArray
- Practice 8-10 problems (palindrome, anagram, compression, duplicates)
Week 4:
- Introduction to OOP - Class and Object, Constructor
- this keyword, Basic encapsulation using getters/setters
- Simple class-based problems and mini-project (e.g., student record manager)
Month 2: OOP & Core Java + Logic Building
Week 1:
- Inheritance, Method Overriding, super keyword
- Polymorphism (Compile-time & Runtime), final keyword
- Abstract Classes, Interfaces (Intro)
- Practice problems using OOP concepts
Week 2:
- Exception Handling: try-catch-finally, throw & throws
- Custom Exceptions
- File Handling Basics (FileReader, FileWriter)
- Mini-project: File-based application (e.g., marksheet generator)
Week 3:
- Collections Framework - List, ArrayList, Set, Map (Intro only)
- Iterating Collections using loops & Iterator
- Practice small programs using ArrayList and HashMap (e.g., frequency counter)
Week 4:
- Wrapper Classes, Autoboxing & Unboxing
- Command Line Arguments, Static Keyword, Final Keyword
- Practice problems and build a simple Java app (e.g., Quiz App)
Month 3: Final Consolidation + Real-World Projects
Week 1:
- Review Java OOPs, Arrays, Strings, Exception Handling
- Implement 2 mini projects combining concepts (e.g., Contact Book, ATM App)
Week 2:
- Basic GUI in Java using Swing (JFrame, JButton, JLabel basics)
- Mini GUI Project: Calculator or Notepad App
Week 3:
- Learn basics of JAR files, Compilation, and Running Java from terminal
- Basic intro to Java 8 features (lambda, streams - optional)
Week 4:
- Final Project (Console or GUI-based)
- Start light DSA prep: What is DSA, Big-O notation, types of data structures
Free Learning Resources
Free Resources:
- Apna College Java Playlist (YouTube)
- CodeWithHarry Java Series (YouTube)
- Java Programming on Programiz (website)
- HackerRank Java Practice Section
- LeetCode (Easy Java Problems)
- W3Schools Java Tutorial
