Update:

Many of you are coming to this link as it is top ranked in google for jdk1.5. Welcome!

Few links of interest judging from your comments:

  • Download Java Development Kit (contains compiler, interpreter (with just-in-time compiler) and other tools for development and deployment) - This is a must download if you want to learn Java
  • Java Tutorial - A good introductory tutorial on most Java topics
  • Thinking in Java - For many it is a favorite book for learning Java. My way was to download the jdk and look in the javadocs and play with the code.
  • Blog on Java and web technologies - Subscribe to the RSS feed or email or check regularly to keep in touch with the latest and greatest happening in the java world.

The free book and tutorial should get you going. Expect to spend anywhere between a week to a couple of months to learn the language decently, the actual time is dependent on the time you can devote and your commitment.

If you are looking to learn Java software then start with the latest and greatest version. Do not get bogged down by the vast set of available packages. Here are the core packages you should learn first and in the given order to get a good grasp of Java Libraries:

  1. java.lang
  2. java.io
  3. java.net
  4. java.util
  5. java.awt
  6. java.sql

For those of you who are wondering about swing, yes it is better to learn awt first then go for swing or swt.

But first and foremost learn about object oriented development, learn how to think in objects. That is the core of Java.

If you are looking for Java certification options please check this article: Guide To Java Software Certifications

Feel free to ask questions and/or leave comments. If you would like me to cover some topics let me know in the comments.

————Original Post on the topic when jdk1.5 first came out—————-
I had problems over the last 2-3 days downloading the jdk over wireless network at Chennai. Today it downloaded fine. Looks like a lot of people are downloading the jdk (or else they have reduced the bandwidth available for download), anyone have any stats?

Looking forward to play with it :)

Dishnet has provided this wi-fi zone at Central Station, Chennai which is allowing me to keep in touch with the world using my laptop.
At other places they force you to use their system ugh!
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