My Java Learning Journey: Starting with ChatGPT and Test-Driven Development
When I decided to learn Java, I wanted a more structured approach than just watching tutorials or reading books. So, I turned to ChatGPT for a personalized learning roadmap that guided me step by step. I also adopted Test-Driven Development (TDD) from the start, writing unit tests before implementing the code.
Setting Up the Development Environment
To get started, I installed Java and Maven, the core tools for Java development. Setting them up was simple, and after verifying the installations, I was ready to begin coding.
Embracing Test-Driven Development
The biggest shift in my learning process was embracing TDD. For each concept, I asked ChatGPT to provide unit tests first. This gave me a clear goal before writing any code. After implementing the functionality, I ran the tests to check if the code worked correctly. If something failed, I fixed it right away.
This test-first approach helped me gain confidence in my code and ensured I truly understood each concept. It also kept me focused on learning in a structured way, one step at a time.
Using tools like ChatGPT made the process interactive and efficient, and I’m excited to continue building on this foundation as I dive into more advanced Java topics.
This experience has been incredibly valuable, as it has pushed me to learn without the fear of getting lost in the many concepts or just copying code from tutorials.