Projects to Learn Java

As a programmer it is important to keep adding skill sets.  An easy way to do that is to pick up a new language.  Of course reading text books or manuals is a great place to start however the best way to learn is to just jump into a project with the new language.  The project gives you a goal to work towards while teaching you the idiosyncrasies of that language.  You never truly know a language until you have fought with it and won a few battles.

So I'm interested in Java.

Here are some places to get some projects

• Stack Overflow on the subject
• CodeKata - Programming problems - guess it works for Java too
• Java Projects for Students
• Udemy Java project suggestions

A few of the suggestions that I thought were interesting:

• Text encryption and decryption
• internet chatting
• A hotel / Car reservation system
• product inventory system

Of course I should be utilizing my Lynda Subscription.