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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.133
EAN: 9780596009205
Edition: 2
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 0596009208
Label: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 720
Publication Date: February 09, 2005
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Studio: O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.com Review:
It has taken four years, but with Head First Java the introductory Java book category has finally come of age. This is an excellent book, far more capable than any of the scores of Java-for-novices books that have come before it. Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates deserve rich kudos--and big sales--for developing this book's new way of teaching the Java programming language, because any reader with even a little bit of discipline will come away with true understanding of how the language works. Perhaps best of all, this is no protracted "Hello, World" introductory guide. Readers get substantial exposure to object-oriented design and implementation, serialization, neatwork programming, threads, and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).

Key to the authors' teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there's little discussion of why the exercises' correct answers are what they are, it's clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you've waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Java programming language for people with no Java experience, and even people with no programming experience at all. Key concepts read like a list of Java features: Object oriented design, variable type and scope, object properties and methods, inheritance and polymorphism, exceptions, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), network connectivity, Java archives (JAR files), and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).

Product Description:
Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study.

The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.

That's how your brain knows.

And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and its effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.

If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read.

By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.




Rating: - Java 5 with a zillion images *** Well written to intermediates
If you want the latest and greatest, get an updated version. *** This could be a first programming book, but as a second book -- it's great stuff. There are questions included. Very good stuff throughout. *** If you are preparing to write programs professionally, starting with this Java 5 book won't hurt. A lot of Java 5 code needs maintaining.... *** BTW: when you read these Java books and they mention databases, don't believe a word of it. Go directly to your database vendor's site and read what ... Read More

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Rating: - Best Book on JAVA for Beginners
I would simply say get this book if you are new to Java or OOP and want to learn Java fast. I am almost done reading this book and could not wait to write about this book. I just enjoyed reading this book. Reading this book was also a fun.

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Rating: - Learning Java Made Fun
I bought this book as a supplement to my text book. This book was was actually fun to read and the way they worded the concepts made them easier to understand. This book does not include every Java concept but does give you the fundamentals. Perfect book for a beginner.

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Rating: - I honestly hate this book
Perhaps if you're a total beginner to programming and probably more so you're under 15 you'll like this book. For me I just hate it, I know this is one of those reviews that is just the out lier to the negative but I would honestly warn people away from this book despite the copious amounts of good reviews on here. Basically I enjoy a book that is straight to the point and condensed. Also I enjoy a book that gives correct terminology and sticks to using it. This book spends pages to explain basic ... Read More

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Rating: - Explains well but misses for SCJA test
This book is written really well in the sense that it explains the particular topic in a casual everyday manner, making it very easy to understand. I progressed through the entire book and found this to be the case regardless of difficulty of topic.
I have 2 big issues with this book:
1: After reading the book, and then opening up my McKenzie 'Mock Exam Questions' book for the SCJA to any random page (pgs 258-260 in this case, questions 12-2 thru 12-5) and trying to answer these 4, I found ... Read More

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