Where to start with a Java project

Question

I tried looking for similar questions here, and I don't think I found something that matches what I'm looking for. I would like to know where to start developing (in all likelihood) a database-enabled Java application that could track customers, accounts and quotes for my vending machine. There will be several computers in the store that will need access.

I thought about the fact that there is a server for processing the database, and let all computers have access to it using the client application.

Almost all my experience in the LAMP environment, but I try to learn as much as possible about Java and feel quite comfortable playing with it in Netbeans or Eclipse.

I am not asking anyone to tell me how to do this or something else. I just wanted to know where to start learning. Is MySQL a good match for Java or should I use something else? I wanted to learn Java, and I thought it would be a good project to learn, but everything I read seems to give only pieces of what I want to know.

Answer 1

Java and MySQL work well together. Here are some things I would recommend starting:

• JDBC (Java Database Connector) - use it to connect to MySQL
• Swing programming - used to create a GUI that users will interact with. While NetBeans has a drag-and-drop GUI, really understanding what is happening under the hood is very important.
  • GlazedLists is a great project for displaying dynamic content in a table format, so you can easily filter, sort, etc. you will probably see customer tables, etc., I would look at that.

If I were you, I would definitely set the bar a little lower and try a few simple projects to get started (for example, those that do not require a database connection). Once you are a bit advanced with Java, I would start by integrating the MySQL table with your application.

Answer 2

I think most of the answers to this question will prove useful as a starting point.

Answer 3

You will never find a complete list of subjects to learn Java or any other technique, I suggest you start by writing requirements for the project and start trying / failing on what you want to do. Bits and plays are a very good way to find out.

Answer 4

You can try to create various test applications, get an idea of ​​java and slowly start using all the parts necessary to create your application. Common concepts used in small Java database applications:

• JDBC, java database connector
• Client / server architecture (required if multiple clients need to synchronize their data)
• Synchronization
• GUI swing

The training path that worked for me was:

• Build a command line Java application
• Create a test application with a graphical user interface (GUI).
• Create a test application with a client / server architecture, but with only one client
• Create a test application with a client / server architecture, connect multiple clients and synchronize them.
• Create a Java application with a JDBC database connector, configure a MySQL server and connect a server to it in your client / server architecture.

You can search every concept online. It should be easy to find tutorials that teach you how to use them.

Answer 5

MySQL should work well with Java.

In any case, if you use JDBC (a common API for accessing SQL databases, which is part of the standard Java library), you should be completely independent of the underlying database used (in addition to the provider-specific SQL extensions).