<p>I don't want to buy anything, but I'm really interested in Comp Sci so I wanted to start learning it by myself. I'll probably take AP Comp Sci not this year but the one after that so I have a while till the actual class, but it could be fun to start learning by yourself. I've already downloaded Eclipses which used Java programming, is there something else I should download? and what should I do to start learning it?</p>
<p>I am not sure if you need this but look at this. pretty interesting, well to me.</p>
<p>[Javanotes</a> 5.1.2 – Title Page](<a href=“http://math.hws.edu/javanotes/]Javanotes”>Javanotes 9, JavaFX Edition -- Title Page)</p>
<p>Java is a programming language and the goal of AP Comp Sci is to teach you the basics of programming in Java and introduce you to some terms in OOP. To really learn computer science, I’d suggest reading these articles:</p>
<p>[Teach</a> Yourself Programming in Ten Years](<a href=“http://norvig.com/21-days.html]Teach”>Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years)</p>
<p>[Advice</a> for Computer Science College Students - Joel on Software](<a href=“http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/CollegeAdvice.html]Advice”>Advice for Computer Science College Students – Joel on Software)</p>
<p>Why take 10 years to learn how to program? <.<
Watch these lectures! Professor Mehran Sahami is easy to understand!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.youtube.com/user/StanfordUniversity#p/c/84A56BC7F4A1F852/0/KkMDCCdjyW8[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/user/StanfordUniversity#p/c/84A56BC7F4A1F852/0/KkMDCCdjyW8</a></p>
<p>You didn’t read the article -___- He explains how the general rule of thumb is that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something. In recent years, everyone is looking for the quickest way to succession. I.e. “Fast Abs in 10mins” or “Learn a language in a day”. To truly learn the programming language and be a successful programmer, 10 years sounds like a smart estimate.</p>
<p>My computer teacher, who I am on very good terms with, allowed me to take home the textbook over the summer. Fascinating stuff; if you can get your hands on a copy of the Glencoe Introduction to Computer Science Using Java, you’re set. The book is great. If you can’t, I also have Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours, which isn’t as good as Glencoe but still does the job.</p>
<p>Ditto on Javanotes mentioned above. I had an hour each day at school to self-study from the Javanotes PDF. If you really stick with it and do the exercises, you’ll be in good shape. You really only need to study up through Chapter 9 - Linked Data Structures & Recursion. Spend any additional time you have going over test-specific material such as GridWorld.</p>
<p>I used Barron’s to nail down the finer points of the test, and it was relatively cheap. BlueJ is probably the most commonly used IDE for Comp. Sci. A. Eclipse is awesome, but excessive if you’re only looking to do well on the exam. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just use barrons</p>