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Java Java Objects (Retired) Meet Objects Constructors

Paul Henry
Paul Henry
2,125 Points
Posted by Paul Henry
Paul Henry
2,125 Points

Not a great example for those of us with no experience...

For anyone who is lost on how classes, objects, and constructors fit together, I think the problem could be in the example used. After being totally confused for over an hour and a half, I went to youtube and found this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-mvgObso which uses a different example and makes things a little clearer.

I'm sure Craig will illuminate how all of this fits together later. But for now, if you're in need of some clarification before you move on, check out the video and compare it to our current example. I hope it helps you like it helped me.

And don't give up! I thought maybe all of this was not for me after this last lesson, but if you keep working on it, eventually it will come together!

Blake Larson
Blake Larson
13,014 Points
Blake Larson
Blake Larson
13,014 Points

Also, if you want more practice with multiple examples and challenges. Check out Udacity's intro to Java course. They really drive home the concepts and it is free. :)

6 Answers

typetypetypetype
PLUS
typetypetypetype
Courses Plus Student 1,033 Points
typetypetypetype
typetypetypetype
Courses Plus Student 1,033 Points

I have to agree, this lesson was so frustrating I walked away for four days.

It'd be nice to show the answers and give us another practice set to work with.

This section has made me want to cancel my account! No better than free courses like CodeAcademy.

Saiful Azhar
Saiful Azhar
2,510 Points
Saiful Azhar
Saiful Azhar
2,510 Points

I'm an experienced programmer using several other languages, so this should be easy for me to grasp. But, I still have to agree that the explanation is a bit lacking and if I were some newcomers, I too will have problem understanding what's going on here.

There's a lot of gap to be filled. Like why there's no return type for constructor... What does it mean to instantiate an object... Or at least explain/compare why java use the name of class as a constructor name instead of something like _construct, constructor, init, etc..

typetypetypetype
typetypetypetype
Courses Plus Student 1,033 Points

Glad an experienced programmer sees the same thing. I've done the hunt and peck learning method of Python but found it very hard to do with this lessons set, I breezed through Java basics and all of a sudden: WALL.

sradms0
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
sradms0
Treehouse Project Reviewer
sradms0
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
sradms0
Treehouse Project Reviewer

I agree with this. In my experience with Treehouse, concepts are introduced incompletely, but are revisited a little later. I'm guessing this is to make sure the learner is not overwhelmed? Maybe...? Regardless, I like to supplement my learning from here with a book. (Absolute Java is an excellent source)

Ciaran McNally
Ciaran McNally
7,052 Points
Ciaran McNally
Ciaran McNally
7,052 Points

To be fair to treehouse, I don't think the example itself is bad. Although, I have completed the course and I'm going through it again because I'm still a bit confused by some of the concepts.

The issue I have with the course is that Treehouse are not very good at visualising the concepts. Using so sort of illustrations/animations would go a long way in helping us it understand.

sradms0
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
sradms0
Treehouse Project Reviewer

They do use some illustrations, but not a lot. I agree, though, that more illustrations would be helpful. And, ha, yes I too go through the courses multiple times.

Surya D.
Surya D.
629 Points

I agree, some real world example like from @SteveHunter would be nice, but they give some nice visuals here and there. In the first few minutes, he went on and on giving a mouthful of concepts, and I thought Craig would say don't worry, I'll explain this later on, but no, he went on, but I really do like the course and the community which helps.

Thomas Rosenbaugh
Thomas Rosenbaugh
2,467 Points
Thomas Rosenbaugh
Thomas Rosenbaugh
2,467 Points

I think what would really help is here is leaving comments in the code to see where everything is being called from and what not. Also a more detailed explanation of how it is all working at the end of these videos. This was the first time on treehouse I had to go to another source to figure a concept out. After doing some other researching and redoing this lesson I do finally understand it, but boy do I think this lesson is not very good.

Mike D
Mike D
2,784 Points
Mike D
Mike D
2,784 Points

Agreed, for such an important concept in the java programming language, this lesson really left much to be desired. I think the issue with treehouse in particular these lessons on classes and objects is that they really throw alot of stuff out to create a short lesson, which is fine and is perfectly applicable with most concepts, as you can easily learn them through research of your own. The problem is i'm paying to learn, and sometimes that means some lecture or theory and something like objects and classes really needs some more attention for the complete new porgrammer. This lesson would be fine if you have prior experience working with another Object oriented programing language.

Craig is an excellent teacher, let him actually teach. Don't get me wrong I understand why these lessons are short, but concepts like this should have their own workshop.