Product Description
One of the most popular beginning programming books, now fully updated Java is a popular language for beginning programmers, and earlier editions of this fun and friendly guide have helped thousands get started. Now fully revised to cover recent updates for Java 7.0, Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 3rd Edition is certain to put more first-time programmers and Java beginners on the road to Java mastery. * * Java is the platform-independent… More >>
If you have had experience programming in other languages, then this book is not for you. It takes things slowly but surely, demonstrating the basic tenets of programming as well as the specifics of Java. I read it before taking an introductory computer science course and it really put me ahead of almost all of the other students (and I had no real programming experience).
Basically, this book was written for the novice. If novice is too generous a term for you, then this book will be perfect. Even if you only thought Java was another name for coffee and only use a computer to word-process on and want to pick up a hobby or perhaps a job skill, you will benefit from this book. The author, Barry Burd, really knows his stuff. He is able to explain such complicated conceptual areas such as objects, classes and arrays better than my CS 101 prof. He also keeps it lively if things get too abstract by analogies and often throws a joke in a section. The book, as a result, is somewhat entertaining in addition to being informative. He uses language that any lay person could easily understand (but if you want to read this because you are going into a computer science class, it’s a good place to start, but you will need another book to help you learn the terminology).
In spite of the stigma attached to the “For Dummies” book series (at least it’s not as bad as “The Complete Idiot’s guide”), this is a book written for people who just want to get to know the language and write some simple programs (or more). I would highly recommend it to anyone getting started here, as well as Java 2 by the same author.
Rating: 5 / 5
I took a class in Java last year and was very unhappy with the Deitel book used, as it was lacking understandable material and humor. When I went to the library I found a bunch of Java books but they all looked too confusing to me. I got home and used a trusty ol’ Amazon search and found this book. I immediately went in a mad search around Pittsburgh for this book, as I didn’t have time to wait for the shipping. I found it and was glad I bought it. It’s clear, humorous, and is so well-written that even a person in their 80s could figure out how to program. Buy this–you’ll be glad you did.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book was a fun read! My review can be summed up by the following five points:
1) Burd makes the subject matter painless with his light and at times anecdotal writing. (good)
2) This book goes extremely slow. But that is *NOT* a bad thing if you are new to java / programming. (good)
3) I got the java text for my ‘promgramming in java, 101’ course, and those authors put a *LOT* more emphasis on the importance / use of objects. Something Burd doesn’t seem to stress enough. (bad)
4) You will not “learn java.” Rather, you will learn how to make quick command line programs to accomplish simple tasks. (bad)
5) Excellent starter book. This book gives you look at the good, the bad, and the frustrating! (good)
Obviously, this is a weighted scale (refer to 4-star rating).
Recommended for anybody interested in Java / programming who has not had *any* training in either.
Rating: 4 / 5
I have been Programming in C++ for quite a while and thought I might give Java a go as many people had recommended it to me.When i got this book, all i could say was, WOW!This book really helped me in getting started with Java. It cleared up ALOT of things that i was confused on. One of the books i had on Java was “Using Java 2 platform, Special Edition” by Joseph L. Weber was a great book, however it did not explain some topics clear enough, But after getting Beginning Programming With Java, it cleared up alot of things for me. To be honest, Most of the “For Dummies” Book’s for Programming Arent that clear and are very confusing, However, This book is the only exception. It is great and i recommend it to anyone who wants to get started In Java.
Rating: 5 / 5
You would not believe how helpful this book has been for my Java programming class! I was so lost that I did not even know how to install the software correctly. This book takes you step-by-step from installation through creating your own Java program. Honestly, I was in tears before I discovered this book.
I got an A in my class and I owe it all to this book. My textbook was no help at all. I highly recommend this to all beginning programming students!!
Rating: 5 / 5