Well, if you are curious then I see no problem. If you are already acquainted with C, java's syntax shouldn't be a problem. It is more the object oriented programming philosophy that Java builds on that is going to be difficult. You have Java tutorials (from Oracle) online you can follow.

As with all languages though, it's always good to check some toy programs to see how Java is used. Also, it's useful to think of an application that you'd like to program. Think of a spreadsheet application. Or a minesweeper game. Start first with tutorials, get a feel of the programming philosophy, use eclipse (easily installable tool for editing Java programs) and build simple programs (for example, run the examples shown in the tutorials). Then, gradually, move one to your target application. Just bear in mind that this process can easily take a couple of months.

As a side note, I am taking singing lessons, and no, I am no teenager. I am just doing what I have desire for. There is nothing wrong with that, and you're never too old to learn.

The question would be why do you want to learn Java? At 53 years old it might be difficult to make a career out of programming, but if it's just for fun or as a hobby then why not? It could be mental exercise in the way some people enjoy laying puzzles, playing chess or solving other tasks that require some thinking. Who knows, depending on what you work with it might even help you perform better at work as you could automate some tasks?

Edit: If it is because you want to work with it professionally don't let me dissuade you. I said it would be difficult but it obviously wouldn't be impossible.

If you want to learn Java, learn Java. There is plenty of joy to be achieved from learning and programming in Java. If you want to create small games, animations, etc, programming is definitely something to go for.

You could easily spend 30min - 1 hour of free time each day, and have a great understanding of the basics within 2-3 months. If you don't let programming stress you out (by not letting annoying problems get on your nerves) then it wont stress you out.

I think that the joy of learning is timeless and if you want to learn Java then go ahead. There are many resources online to get you up to speed on how to do things. I myself am currently taking college classes in Java but I don't really like them. I want to be a Systems Analyst and use my knowledge of IT to help companies out. unfortunately it means I need to know how to program which I don't like but many of my friends do like programming.

If you find joy in something, why not do it?

I have no degree, I did some C several years ago (not deep though). At 53 years old my husband is telling me that I should read books and enjoy myself instead of stressing out by learning Java. He says that programming is just problem solving and there is little joy to get out of that if you don't get pay for these struggles. What are your thoughts about that? Thanks for your time.

I'm (hmm) years older than you and only learned PHP recently, well enough to write a WordPress plugin for a friend's business site.

Numerical age is not a barrier to learning. Attitude, energy and aptitude are the big issues, I think, roughly in that order.

Attitude is first, as usual. Your husband sees "solving problems" and "little joy". I see "puzzles" and "opportunity for some fun." But, one person's puzzle might be another's nightmare. That's where aptitude comes in. I don't get joy from gardening, but my wife loves it. (We get ingrained from "aptitude tests" that this is some measure of being "good enough", but the word just means "fitness" and there's a big difference between "fit" and "quality".)

So, give it a try. If you're not having fun, you can donate the book, drop the class, not visit that webite...whatever. If you do have some fun, welcome...and be careful. Solving puzzles can be addictive. :^)

I read, years ago, that writers, painters, other artists and a lot of scientists do their best work after they are 40 (on average). So 53 is still good, it's a lot closer than 20 (and it's after).

I don't think age matters as I am 76 and I just downloaded vs2012 and I have no idea what to do with it but I am trying to work with aspx files so I can work with databases but I get permission troubles when I try to connect to database.