I wasted 4 years learning Java.<p>The problem wasn’t the programming language but the pattern I was learning it.<p>I downloaded almost all Java tutorials on YouTube and was consistently watching and reading articles.<p>However, I still didn’t fully comprehend or grasp any concept of programming.<p>One day, I decided that come rain or sun, I’m going to build the Windows Calculator.<p>That is when everything changed.<p>After struggling for a long time, I finally built the calculator.<p>Also, I noticed that my questioning changed from “What is” to “How to”.<p>I started asking more direct questions that relate to my challenges.<p>Infact, I went further to build other apps such as:<p>- library management system
- hospital management system
- Cyber billing app
- etc<p>…and the rest is history.<p>Project-based learning approach is the best way to learn this backend engineering thing.<p>Jump out of tutorial hell.<p>Here’s a list of Backend projects you can start with:<p>https://projects.masteringbackend.com/projects
Decades ago, a manager told me (in an interview) that it takes 5 years before Java developers are productive. I still disagree. It might take time to become a wizard but the priority in this business is to complete projects.