Updated in May 2025.

This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this comprehensive course, you will learn how to master Java programming, starting from the basics and progressing to intermediate concepts. By the end, you will have the skills and confidence to develop Java applications and understand the core principles of object-oriented programming. This course is ideal for individuals looking to deepen their understanding of Java and enhance their programming skills. The course begins with a thorough introduction to programming languages, touching on the different types of programming and the role of Java in the software development landscape. You will explore what it means to be a programmer or a developer and learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming, which is a cornerstone of Java. From there, the course covers the essential tools you’ll need, including JDK, JRE, JVM, and various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) used in Java development. The next part of the course focuses on Java basics. You'll get hands-on experience creating your first Java program, both through a simple Notepad and command prompt method and with the more advanced JShell environment. You'll dive into Java variables, data types, type casting, operators, and essential programming concepts. This section is designed to ensure you understand the core building blocks that makeup Java programming. This course is perfect for anyone interested in learning Java, whether you're just starting or looking to solidify your knowledge. There are no advanced prerequisites, although familiarity with basic programming concepts is helpful. The course is suitable for beginners and intermediate learners who want to expand their skills and start building Java applications.