<p>I'm planning on self-studying for AP Comp Sci A next year, but I've never programmed a thing in my life. So, I'm wondering what would be a good...</p>
<ol>
<li>Textbook, preferably one that they would use in an AP Comp Sci A class. Would Big Java be a good book?</li>
<li>Online supplement</li>
</ol>
<p>Again, I have no programming experience, so I'm looking for in-depth as well as comprehensive guides. Thanks</p>
<p>Uh, I would strongly recommend you actually take a class for Comp Sci if you have no programming experience whatsoever. Jumping straight into Java can be pretty difficult if you don’t have any knowledge of Basic or C programming and especially so if you are self-studying.</p>
<p>Copied from a related thread:</p>
<p>I lack experience in self studying computer science although I am currently taking it. Toughest portion will be the beginning since after you get used to writing simple code the content isn’t particularly hard so the initial comprehension of the topic causes the most difficulty. Computer science consists primarily of two things when it’d come towards tackling. The first is practical ability since the free response does involve writing code and being able to write can make reading code in a lot of multiple choice questions much easier. When it comes to writing code I’d heavily recommend codingbat + codeacademy. Main warning is codeacademy does not use java which is the programming language the AP computer science test is using but a lot of programming concepts are common throughout languages and it contains 1000s of exercices (no you don’t have to do near that much to do well it just makes practicing pretty available) and be careful that when you learn something one codeacademy you don’t end up using the wrong syntax since while the syntax are similar at times they’re quite a few differences. The other aspect is the theory which codeacademy does teach some of but the lack of focus at java necessitates some form of prep book or text book. Textbook I’m using is exposure java by leon schram and prep book I’m using is barron’s which have both done fine and I wouldn’t even say you’d need both considering the textbook was I think designed for an ap computer science class. Gridworld is also a part of the test but that textbook and I’d assume most prep books would cover it and is something you just have to learn (difficulty really depends on how well you are in general).</p>
<p>I’m not sure how much time computer science would have taken me as a self study. I’d guess 80-100 hours although quite a bit of that in my case would be directed towards doing problems on those two sites previously mentioned along with other practice problems (like doing free response problems) when it comes to being ready.</p>
<p>As for a textbook the one I used when I took the course and found to be both comprehensive and an easy read was interactive java and it was written specifically for AP CS. I have a copy saved on my computer and if you’d like I could email it to you.</p>
<p>^ Codecademy is a really good resource. Legacy, I would be interested in that textbook. Could you email it to me at <a href="mailto:coasterman10@msn.com">coasterman10@msn.com</a>?</p>
<p>Legacy, could you pls email me a copy of the textbook at kxnyca02@**********? Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>I would also be interested in the copy of the textbook as I can self-studying comp sci A as well. If you could email it to <a href="mailto:nivekcabogans@gmaiI.com">nivekcabogans@gmaiI.com</a> that would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Hi, Legacy. Thanks for the good post. Would you be willing to e-mail me the textbook? My email is tedmanindahouse@a o l (dot) c o m</p>
<p>I’d appreciate it a lot!</p>
<p>Did he send it to any of you that could pass it along?</p>
<p>Hi Legacy,</p>
<p>May I have a copy of the textbook too?
Here’s my email-- <a href=“mailto:tigerstar@live.co.kr”>tigerstar@live.co.kr</a>
Thanks!</p>
<p>Learning how to code is tough. But it is only hard to take the first steps. Once you understand the basics, you will be off running. It will be very easy to add more concepts once you have a strong foundation. Additionally Java is not that hard of a language to learn. I learned my solid foundation of Java in 7th grade. It is not over complicated in any way. Since you have not prior programming experience the most important pre-req in my opinion is the ability to problem-solve at a high level. To see if you can do this, if you are good at math. Try taking an AMC 10 or AMC 12 math competition. If you are able to get just the first 5-8 right. I think you have the problem solving skills to do well in this class. </p>
<p>Also I am planning on making a youtube video series on AP Computer Science. I will be basing it off of my experience with the test (I scored a 5) and the barrons book. Once I get started I will post a link on the forums.</p>
<p>Good luck with your self-studying.</p>
<p>You can do some practice at codingbat.org, but you don’t really need a text book. Just read some tutorials or watch some youtube tutorials.</p>
<p>We mostly used codingbat in our class. There was a textbook but it was barely touched. Codingbat really helps though.</p>
<p>Hey Legacy I would also like the link for the textbook, if you don’t mind.</p>
<p>Thanks!!! My email is youssefvictor@**********</p>