I remember when I learnt PHP, it was suggested that I code a simple blog or a forum after reading the language fundamentals and syntax. I was told/read that this would cover everything that I would learn about PHP in a beginners book. This advice was out there in a number of places, and after following and working with PHP it seems quite good advice.

I am now learning Java, and reading the book Thinking in Java by Bruce Eckel. I wonder if there is any such set of similar, small projects that I could take up, that would cover all the essentials and most of what is covered in the book.

Thanks.