<p>I'm a senior and I'm thinking of taking the AP Computer Science A test even though my school doesn't offer a computer science class and I have no prior knowledge, so I am going to self study. My problem is: what is the best way to self study for computer science? Does anybody know any good websites to use that will teach me the commands that are used? I bought an AP book but they do not have a section that teaches beginners who have no prior programming knowledge what public int means or what initialization, condition, etc. means. </p>
<p>I have gone through the tutorials on programmingbasics.org which was good because I could test my codes but I opened up my AP book and there are questions that i do not understand, and to understand the answer you need to know what they are talking about.Im using the Litvin How to prepare for computer science exam in java book.</p>
<p>If anybody self taught themselves, I would appreciate exactly how you taught yourself without any computer science classes.</p>
<p>Litvin is great but not meant to be your first book. It’s for review after completing a course.</p>
<p>I used Java for Dummies (stupid, I know, but it worked!)- you can also use the Blue Pelican Java book (google it), which is very complete. Both start from absolute scratch. The first would give you enough to read Litvin and the second would be enough for the AP on its own.</p>
<p>Looking at all the Stanford lectures for Programming Methodology (you can find it on youtube) would be a good way to start from scratch. I’m self-studying AP Computer Science as well. You should also get the Barron’s review book for the test. :)</p>
<p>i actually looked at those lectures but they helped me with grapsing the concept of programming and no such much as the ap computer science test or computer science questions (unless im wrong, im only watched up to video 5)</p>
<p>Blue Pelican, as another user suggested, can be really helpful, and so is the Java for Dummies book! I’d also suggest getting the Princeton Review and/or Barron’s review book. As the exam nears, be sure to find a copy of the Case Study to look over. I don’t know where it’s available, but a good bet would be the CollegeBoard website.</p>