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Getting Started

Welcome to Bootstrap Coding Skills! This guide will help you prepare for learning Git and Java - the essential tools and languages that form the foundation of modern software development.

🎯 Who This Is For

This site is designed specifically for:

  • New Developers - People just starting their coding journey
  • Students - Often teens learning programming for the first time
  • Career Changers - Adults switching to technology careers
  • Self-Learners - Anyone wanting a solid foundation in the basics

🧠 Learning Mindset

Before you start, remember:

  • Progress over Perfection - Everyone makes mistakes while learning
  • Practice Regularly - Consistency beats intensity
  • Ask Questions - Don't be afraid to search for answers
  • Build Things - Apply what you learn in small projects
  • Be Patient - Programming takes time to master

🛠️ Essential Development Tools

These tools form the foundation of any developer's environment:

1. Text Editor or IDE

Choose one to start (you can always switch later):

Other Good Options

  • IntelliJ IDEA Community - Excellent for Java development
  • Sublime Text - Lightweight and fast
  • Atom - Similar to VS Code

2. Terminal/Command Line

Learn basic command line navigation:

# Navigate directories
pwd                 # Show current directory
ls                  # List files and directories
cd dirname          # Change to directory
cd ..               # Go up one level

# Create and manage files
mkdir newdirectory  # Create new directory
touch newfile.txt   # Create new file
rm filename.txt     # Delete file

# Navigate directories
cd                  # Show current directory
dir                 # List files and directories
cd dirname          # Change to directory
cd ..               # Go up one level

# Create and manage files
mkdir newdirectory  # Create new directory
copy nul newfile.txt # Create new file
del filename.txt    # Delete file

3. Web Browser with Developer Tools

  • Chrome or Firefox with developer tools
  • Learn to open developer console (F12)
  • Useful for debugging and learning

📚 Learning Path Overview

We recommend learning in this order:

Phase 1: Version Control with Git

Why start here?

  • Essential for any programming work
  • Helps you track and save your progress
  • Industry standard tool every developer uses

What you'll learn:

  • How to track changes in your code
  • Basic Git commands for daily work
  • How to handle conflicts when working with others

Time investment: 2-3 hours total

Start with Git →

Phase 2: Programming with Java

Why Java?

  • Beginner-friendly syntax
  • Widely used in industry
  • Strong typing helps catch errors early
  • Excellent learning resources available

What you'll learn:

  • Basic programming concepts
  • How to write and run Java programs
  • Working with data and collections
  • Writing clean, professional code

Time investment: 6-8 hours total

Continue with Java →

🚀 Before You Begin

Set Up Your Learning Environment

  1. Create a dedicated workspace:

    mkdir coding-bootstrap
cd coding-bootstrap

  2. Create directories for each topic:

    mkdir git-practice
mkdir java-projects

  3. Open your code editor in this directory

Learning Tips

  • Take notes - Write down important concepts
  • Practice regularly - Even 30 minutes daily helps
  • Don't rush - Understanding is more important than speed
  • Test everything - Run code examples yourself
  • Make mistakes - They're part of learning!

When You Get Stuck

  1. Read error messages carefully - They often tell you exactly what's wrong
  2. Check the Quick Reference sections for syntax reminders
  3. Search online - Stack Overflow and official documentation are valuable
  4. Take breaks - Sometimes stepping away helps clarify problems
  5. Practice patience - Every professional developer was once a beginner

🎯 Success Metrics

After completing both learning paths, you should be able to:

Git Skills

  • ✅ Create and manage Git repositories
  • ✅ Track changes with commits
  • ✅ Handle basic merge conflicts
  • ✅ Use .gitignore effectively

Java Skills

  • ✅ Write simple Java programs
  • ✅ Use variables, arrays, and collections
  • ✅ Create basic classes and methods
  • ✅ Follow Java coding conventions

🌟 What Comes Next?

These lessons provide a solid foundation, but they're just the beginning. After completing this bootstrap curriculum, continue learning with:

Intermediate Topics

  • Object-oriented programming concepts
  • Database fundamentals (SQL)
  • Web development basics (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Debugging and testing techniques

Advanced Learning Resources

  • Online Courses: Coursera, edX, Udemy
  • Books: "Head First Java", "Pro Git"
  • Practice Platforms: LeetCode, HackerRank, Codewars
  • Project Ideas: Build small applications

Community and Support

  • Stack Overflow - For specific technical questions
  • Reddit r/learnprogramming - Supportive community
  • Local meetups - Find programming groups in your area
  • Open source projects - Contribute to real projects

🏁 Ready to Start?

Great! Your journey starts with understanding version control. Git might seem intimidating at first, but it's an essential skill that will serve you throughout your entire programming career.

Remember: every expert was once a beginner. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process of learning.

Begin Your Journey with Git →

Questions? If you get stuck or need clarification on any concept, don't hesitate to search online or consult the official documentation for Git and Java. The programming community is incredibly helpful and supportive of new learners.