I've got a basic understanding of Java and I'm looking to deepen my knowledge. Should I focus on creating a project, like a simple text editor using AWT or Swing? Alternatively, should I dive into YouTube tutorials or practice coding on platforms like LeetCode or Codewars? What's the best approach to mastering Java?
3 Answers
Definitely go with projects! Building something like a text editor can teach you more than just following tutorials. You’ll learn practical skills like file handling and event management. Plus, you might find that tutorials can lead you to "Tutorial Hell" where you feel like you understand things, but can't actually code without guidance. It's better to get your hands dirty and figure things out on your own!
I think a balanced approach works best—start with some basic tutorials to understand the fundamentals, then jump into a project. Try to recreate the project from scratch later without looking at the tutorial; that way, you'll reinforce what you've learned and add your own features along the way!
Mix it up! Start with tutorials for the basics, then switch gears and tackle a small project. Pair that with some problem-solving on LeetCode to sharpen your coding logic. It’s all about applying what you learn, and projects really help with that.

Absolutely! Breaking things and troubleshooting them is a fantastic way to learn.