Is Codecademy Worth It for Learning Programming Languages Like Java?

I started with Codecademy's Python and SQL courses, and they helped me get the basics down. After that, I found CS50, which is fantastic!

FreeCodeCamp has a lot of great resources for other languages. Java had its own free training at some point, and honestly, most of the basic concepts are available for free. Start there!

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend paying for any courses in 2025 since there are so many good free resources out there. The key is to choose a language and stick with it. Java is solid for beginners, but try to focus on understanding the fundamentals rather than getting bogged down by all the academic details. Once you get the basics, dive into some small projects. If paying for Codecademy helps you stay on track, then it might be worth it for that consistency!

You're focusing on learning specific languages, but don't overlook the importance of algorithms. I recommend checking out Knuth's books—they're a bit older, but the concepts are still relevant. For SQL, you can learn most of what you need for free in just a couple of hours. Languages like Python and even C++ or Rust are essential for writing effective scripts and optimizing your code. And don't forget about PHP; it's not perfect but necessary for web development!

Save your money! There was a time when these courses were worth it, but not anymore. Look for free materials instead.