is there a place that teaches java in a stimulating and interactive environment that also teaches how every small part works and the logic behind it all?

Not likely, Java and stimulating environments aren't exactly compatible.

If you want to learn the fundamentals or some design patterns have a look at the head first book(s). Always fun to read because it's not written in the typical boring programming book style.

If you're more into gaming then there also some minecraft based books (but don't know the quality of these books)

If you just want to program for "fun" there are some sites like codingame.com

You mean in the way codecademy does that with other languages?

Nope

@KnutKnutsen can you please give me an example of some good books?

@mazabin the site codebashing.com has a very good ad for its services as a small demo of executing a simple sql injection. so i meant something like that.

@kimailis it does looks similar to codecademy then. I looked up that codebashing and I can see they offer some course in Java, so why don't you try it there?

@mazabin their fee is pretty high and they dont provide a java course demo so idk what i'll be paying for, im going to study java for the next semester in for my computer science degree, i just wanna get prepared.

@kimailis Do you know C++? If so, just download IntelliJ and try make same programs in Java. To get familiar with creating UI just look for some Jpanels tutorials.

You learn best, if you will actually nake some project, trust me.

@mazabin unfortunately i dont know c++ yet, but you are right, learning by experience is the best way.