Add Java learning roadmap README

README.md

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+# Java Learning Roadmap
+
+## Current Skill Assessment
+
+Based on the projects in this repository, the following concepts are already understood:
+
+- Variables and primitive types (`int`, `float`, `char`, `String`)
+- User input with `Scanner` and console output
+- Conditional logic (`if`, `else if`, `else`)
+- Loops (`for`, `while`)
+- Static and instance methods, return types, and parameters
+- Multiple classes working together, basic constructors
+- Exception handling (`try/catch`, `throws`)
+- Standard library usage (`Random`, `Math`, `StringBuilder`, `LocalDate`)
+- Method overloading
+- Type casting
+
+---
+
+## Roadmap
+
+### Phase 1 - Solidifying the Basics (Weeks 1-2)
+
+Small projects that are a natural next step from what is already working here. No new concepts required.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Number Guessing Game | Random number generation, loops, user input, attempt counting, higher/lower hints |
+| Simple Calculator | Menu loop, switch statements, storing and displaying a running history of calculations |
+| Grade Tracker | Accept multiple student marks, calculate average, assign letter grade, reject invalid input |
+
+---
+
+### Phase 2 - Object-Oriented Programming (Weeks 3-4)
+
+Introduces collections and more structured class design. The jump from writing individual classes to designing systems of classes.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Contact Book | A `Contact` class, `ArrayList` to store contacts, add/search/delete/list operations |
+| Bank Account Simulator | An `Account` class with deposit, withdraw, balance check, and overdraft protection |
+| Student Records | Multiple `Student` objects in an `ArrayList`, sort by grade, filter by pass/fail |
+
+**Core Concepts:**
+- `ArrayList<T>` for storing dynamic lists of objects
+- Iterating collections with `for-each` loops
+- Encapsulation: private fields with public getters and setters
+- `toString()` method override for printing objects
+
+**Resources:**
+- Oracle Java Docs: `java.util.ArrayList`
+- *Head First Java* (Kathy Sierra) - Chapters 4-6
+
+---
+
+### Phase 3 - File Input and Output (Weeks 5-6)
+
+Introduces reading and writing data to disk so programs can persist information between runs.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Simple Text Logger | Write timestamped log entries to a file, read and display the log |
+| Notes App | Save, load, list, and delete notes stored in a plain text file |
+| Caesar Cipher | Encrypt and decrypt a string using a shift key, save output to a file |
+
+**Core Concepts:**
+- `FileWriter` and `BufferedWriter` for writing to files
+- `FileReader` and `BufferedReader` for reading from files
+- `IOException` and why file operations require it
+- Appending vs overwriting a file
+
+**Resources:**
+- Oracle Java Docs: `java.io` package
+- Baeldung: "Java FileWriter" and "BufferedReader" articles (free, clear examples)
+
+**Knowledge Required:**
+- How files are represented as streams of bytes
+- The difference between character streams and byte streams
+- Basic understanding of file paths (relative vs absolute)
+
+---
+
+### Phase 4 - Cybersecurity-Relevant Projects (Weeks 7-9)
+
+These are directly applicable to the cybersecurity pathway and will introduce Java's built-in security libraries and basic networking.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Hashing Tool | Input a string, output its MD5 and SHA-256 hash; compare two hashes |
+| Brute Force Timer | Simulate brute force on a short PIN or password, calculate and display time taken |
+| Caesar Cipher Breaker | Attempt all 26 shifts on a ciphertext and display the most readable result |
+
+**Core Concepts:**
+- `java.security.MessageDigest` for hashing
+- Converting byte arrays to hex strings
+- Why hashing is one-way and what collision resistance means
+- How brute force time scales with password length and character set size
+
+**Resources:**
+- Oracle Java Docs: `java.security.MessageDigest`
+- OWASP: Password Storage Cheat Sheet (understand *why* hashing matters)
+- Computerphile on YouTube: "How NOT to Store Passwords" and "SHA-256 Hashing"
+
+**Knowledge Required:**
+- Difference between encoding, encryption, and hashing
+- Hexadecimal notation
+- Basic understanding of character sets and entropy
+
+---
+
+### Phase 5 - Intermediate OOP and Data Structures (Weeks 10-12)
+
+Introduces inheritance, interfaces, and more complex data structures. This phase is a significant step up and may require more time.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Text-Based RPG | Multiple classes with inheritance (`Player`, `Enemy`), polymorphism, basic game loop |
+| Inventory Management | A `HashMap` to store items by ID, search by name, update stock levels |
+| Vigenere Cipher Tool | A multi-key cipher that extends the Caesar Cipher work above |
+
+**Core Concepts:**
+- Inheritance (`extends`) and method overriding (`@Override`)
+- Abstract classes and interfaces
+- Polymorphism: treating subclass objects as their parent type
+- `HashMap<K, V>` for key-value storage
+- `Comparable` and `Comparator` for sorting custom objects
+
+**Resources:**
+- *Head First Java* (Kathy Sierra) - Chapters 7-9
+- Oracle Java Docs: `java.util.HashMap`
+- Oracle Java Docs: Interfaces and Inheritance tutorial
+
+**Knowledge Required:**
+- Why inheritance reduces code duplication
+- What a contract is in the context of an interface
+- Basic understanding of how hash tables work
+
+---
+
+### Phase 6 - Networking and Concurrency (Months 3-4)
+
+These topics require a more solid foundation and are best tackled after Phase 5. They are directly relevant to cybersecurity tooling.
+
+| Project | What It Builds |
+|---|---|
+| Basic Port Scanner | Scan a range of ports on a host, report open/closed, record results to a file |
+| Multi-threaded Port Scanner | Run the above scan using multiple threads to improve speed |
+| Simple HTTP Client | Make GET requests to a URL, display response headers and body |
+
+**Core Concepts:**
+- `java.net.Socket` for TCP connections
+- Connection timeouts and `IOException` handling for closed ports
+- `Thread` class and `Runnable` interface
+- `ExecutorService` and thread pools for managing concurrent tasks
+- `java.net.HttpURLConnection` for HTTP requests
+
+**Resources:**
+- Oracle Java Docs: `java.net.Socket`, `java.lang.Thread`, `java.util.concurrent`
+- Computerphile on YouTube: "What are Ports?" and "How TCP Works"
+- TryHackMe or HackTheBox Academy: Networking fundamentals rooms (free tier)
+
+**Knowledge Required:**
+- How TCP handshakes work (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK)
+- Port ranges (well-known, registered, ephemeral)
+- Why concurrency introduces race conditions and how to avoid them
+- Basic networking: IP addresses, subnets, localhost vs external hosts
+
+**Important Note:** Only scan systems you own or have explicit permission to scan. Running a port scanner against external hosts without permission is illegal in most jurisdictions.
+
+---
+
+## General Advice
+
+- Commit every project to this repository, even if it is incomplete. Version history is a learning tool.
+- When a project is finished, go back and refactor it once. The second pass teaches as much as the first.
+- Do not skip Phase 3. File I/O is unglamorous but appears constantly in real-world code and in degree coursework.
+- For the cybersecurity pathway, Phases 4 and 6 are the most directly relevant. Treat Phase 4 as preparation for understanding tools like Hashcat and John the Ripper from a programmer's perspective.