Editorial draft for review. Prepared for the JavaWallah learning resource library.
Start with one working program
Install the JDK and choose an IDE. Write a small program, compile it and change it. Learn to read an error message before adding more tools.
Learn the building blocks
Practise variables, conditions, loops, arrays and strings with small exercises. Explain the input, the steps and the expected output before you write code.
Think in objects, then build
Model a library or task list with classes and objects. Add collections, exception handling and persistence as the project grows.
Take it to the web
Move to SQL, JDBC and Spring Boot after the foundations feel familiar. Build a small REST API, document it and demonstrate how it works.