Hey everyone,
I'm currently studying for the IBM Java Backend Developer certification on Coursera. At first, everything was going well; I could keep up and write small pieces of code without any issues. But then I hit a wall with Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). It's like my brain just froze. I can understand bits and pieces when they're simplified, but when I look at complete programs, it feels like I'm trying to decode a complex puzzle. I just find myself typing things out without fully understanding the reasoning behind it.
I know how crucial OOP is in Java, but I can't figure out how to actually implement it to create real projects. I'm aiming for a career in backend development since frontend isn't my thing, but I'm honestly worried that I won't have the necessary skills for the job market.
So I'm looking for advice on a few things:
* How do I become proficient in OOP?
* How significant is OOP knowledge for backend Java developers?
* Any specific tips for learning backend development without losing my mind?
I just want to feel like I'm actually learning instead of just copying code. Any advice would really help!
1 Answer
It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed by OOP—many people do at first! The key is to stop focusing solely on syntax and start thinking of it in terms of nouns (like classes: User, Order) and verbs (like methods: placeOrder, cancelOrder). When you can connect real-world scenarios to these concepts, the pieces begin to fall into place.
OOP is super important for backend Java development. Most frameworks like Spring and Hibernate heavily rely on OOP principles. Don’t worry about mastering everything at once—begin with a small project like a library system or a todo app using classes, and refactor that as you learn more along the way.
As for keeping your sanity while learning backend, try focusing on one layer at a time: data first, followed by logic, then the API. It’s a lot easier to digest than trying to grasp the entire picture at once!
I actually started by building a simple banking app! I leaned on AI for help, but it was really helpful. A friend suggested drawing UML class diagrams first, which made understanding the whole structure much easier.