Fundamentals of Object-Oriented Design in UML

Java After Hours : 10 Projects You'll Never Do at Work

Head First Java, 2nd Edition

Head First Design Patterns

Java 5 : A Beginner's Tutorial (Brainysoftware)

Beginners Guide

Learning Java Through Applications: A Graphical Approach (Programming Series) (Programming Series)

Format: Paperback
Author: Duane J Jarc
ReleaseDate: July, 2005
Publisher: Charles River Media
Rating:

One of the more fun ways to learn basic Java programming
If done well so that each step is fully explained then it can be a very effective method. I have always been a fan of learning a programming language by constructing program applications. Even if the program is simple the fact that you can write it and get immediate results encourages you and helps you understand how it all works together. This book takes that approach and teaches Java through the writing of various small applications. The author includes a CD-Rom with all the code from the book so you don't have to type it in line by line to start using it. The book does a good job of starting from the beginning and assuming no prior knowledge of programming or Java. Although it is a fairly thorough introduction to Java it takes a gradual approach with the reader learning a piece, seeing what it does, and then moving on to the next piece. Learning Java Through Applications is highly recommended as an excellent choice for the person completely new to Java.

Good Way To Get Introduced to Java
It is intended for both self study and for formal classroom use. This is described as a beginning to intermediate book on programming in Java, it's probably a bit more beginning than intermediate.

Java is increasingly be used as the first language to be studied. It is not only a powerful language in its own right, but has the ability to quickly and easily put graphics on the screen without the work necessary to create separate windows. The browser handles this part allowing the program to do it's own thing.

One thing I particularly like about this book is its treatment of objects. So many Java books start talking about objects in the first page or two, stringing together a bunch of words that absolutely no meaning to the beginning student. After this, the word object tends to not be mentioned for a hundred pages or more, by which time the student has completely forgotten the description. This book takes a more incremental approach. It starts with simple applets, increasing the size and complexity as the student progresses through the chapters. Objects com in at chapter 5, about the same place as in the other books, but having skipped those first confusing words.

The CD-ROM is designed to be used with Windows (sorry Mac Folk). It contains the source for every program in the book, as well as all of the figures used.

Learning Jave Through Applications
It turned out to be very elementary and my 14 year old could not use it at all. I ordered this book for my son after he and I both read what was said about it. I ended up sending it back at my expense.