Java, Where To Start?

I'm a web developer who has design and programming experience. So, VB, ASP, PHP, Coldfusion, Perl, even C and C++ I have in my belt. I also use Dreamweaver and/or do a lot of my HTML/XHTML/JavaScript coding by hand. So, the DOM, DHTML, etc, all good to me and even OOP thinking and design I have when I code. And I even have MySQL and other databases, again, not an issue here. So, my weak point is — Java — I see so many jobs out there with J2EE, Hibernate, Eclipse, Netbeans. Beside the obvious, which is to learn Java the core language, I don't know where else to go from there. There is so much! What should I read? in what order? What software do I require? UML? Swing? I mean, what is the curriculum required for someone to say they are a solid Java developer? Even assuming I have to go through Java itself, what are the good books out there?

Comments

Re:Don't

[SageMusings]

Please, take the time to back up your assertion. How is the .Net Platform so much worse than Java? I've seen people like you make this claim and then never go on to explain why?

I am interested in knowing why. I personally do 90% of my coding in C# nowadays and have had a very positive experience (and the money is decent, too). My mind is not closed to other languages and methodologies, so do not mistake my inquisitiveness for a snide remark; I would really like to know how Java is faster and cleaner.

You were modded as funny but it's time people like you put all your cards on the table. I don't code in Java but I don't debase the language. I honestly don't know enough to argue one way or the other for Java. I suspect you don't know enough about .Net to do so either.

And a little off topic for this thread but keeping with the spirit of the parent story: It doesn't matter what language you use. Your company can always outsource it. There are too many people outside the U.S. willing to work for very little at all hours of the day...plus...U.S. labor laws do not apply. It's a corporate wet-dream with Congress fully behind it.