Think Like a Programmer

Java is the backbone of modern enterprise software, and mastering its logic is the first step toward becoming a professional developer. This book offers a selection of curated questions, ranging from foundational topics to advanced programming concepts.

The book begins with simple loops like for, while, and do-while before tackling file operations, logging, and I/O exceptions. Each chapter focuses on solving problems within a specific area of programming, allowing readers to practice, analyze, and upskill. The difficulty progressively increases as the readers learn to solve problems using basic data structures, arithmetic, and regular expressions. Finally, the book covers topics like data sorting, graphics, and complex data structures.

By the end of this book, you will be competent in applying decision constructs to diverse programming challenges and possess a solid understanding of algorithmic efficiency. Through hands-on experience and real-world problems, this book ensures that learners develop the problem-solving skills necessary for success as a software developer.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
● Approaches to solving common programming problems.
● Execute advanced string parsing and character identification through decision logic.
● Solve complex operations utilizing recursive functions and mathematical logic constructs.
● Develop systematic problem-solving skills for complex backend data processing tasks.
● Develop logic and problem-solving skills incrementally.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
This book is for students, educators, and developers seeking to improve their programming logic. Readers should have basic Java syntax knowledge to solve problems involving recursion and data structures. It is ideal for candidates preparing for technical exams and professional interviews.

Section 1: Beginner Problems
1. Simple Loops
2. File Operations
3. Characters and Strings
Section 2: Intermediate Problems
4. Arithmetic Solutions
5. Basic Data Structures
6. Pattern Matching
Section 3: Challenging Problems
7. Complex Data Structures
8. Sorting
9. Graphics
APPENDIX A: References
APPENDIX B: Answers to Exercises

Aaron Ploetz is a developer advocate for IBM. He has been a professional software developer since 1997, and has a successful history of leading DBA and DevOps teams for startups and Fortune 50 enterprises. Aaron was named an MVP for Apache Cassandra® three times, a Cassandra Catalyst in 2023, and recently accepted an invitation to join the Apache Cassandra project as a committer. He has presented at many events, including Community over Code, Data Day Texas, and keynoted the fintech track at Dia Ciudad de México in 2023. Aaron has previously authored Code with Java 21, as well as books about distributed databases. He earned a B.S. in management/computer systems from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and an M.S. in software engineering (database technology emphasis) from Regis University. When not writing or coding, Aaron enjoys fishing, retro video gaming, and skiing. Aaron and his wife, Coriene, live with their children in the Twin Cities area.