Product Description

* This updated bestseller covers programming essentials for the newest version of Java, the popular platform-independent, object-oriented programming language
* The material is fully updated and focuses on the new Java SDK 1.5, addressing the needs of new or inexperienced Java developers
* The fun and easy writing style walks readers through Java syntax basics and helps them write their first program
* Shows readers how to create basic Java objects and figure out when they can reuse existing code
* The new edition is also modified to better address the readers who may have some programming knowledge, but who are new to Java

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #135601 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 378 pages

From the Back Cover
Make the jump to Java and JDK 5.0

Your first step toward building Java-powered applications

Whether you’re creating your first program or adding Java to your development toolbox for the first time, this book is the place to start. With Java trainer Barry Burd showing you the way, you’ll be creating your first Java application in no time!

All this on the bonus CD-ROM

• Exclusive build of JCreator customized for use with code in the book
• A trial version of Jindent, NetCaptor freeware and DJ Java Decompiler freeware versions

Discover how to:

• Think like an object-oriented programmer
• Save time by reusing code
• Break a project into manageable pieces
• Diagnose problems and squash bugs
• Formulate your program’s business logic

About the Author
Barry Burd is the author of Java 2 For Dummies, Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, and Java & XML For Dummies, and a computer science professor at Drew University.

Customer Reviews

Step-by-Step and Easy to Follow
For a few years now, I have wanted to learn how to program in JAVA. I bought books on JAVA but always hit road blocks along the way (because the author assumed I already knew something) that unmotivated me. In Java 2 for Dummies, Barry Burd has written a step-by-step book that could teach a near computer illiterate how to program in JAVA. He even includes directions to setting up the computer for convenience while programming. Explanations make the reader feel as though s/he is in a conversation with the author himself. I did not imagine that learning a programming language could be so easy.

Turning bites into bytes
As a former dentist that is taking his first stab at programming I really needed a book that assumes the reader is a total dolt. Okay, maybe dolt is a little too strong - how about extreme novice. Barry Burd's "Java 2 for Dummies" fit the bill exactly. While other authors revel in high-handed semantics Dr. Burd's style and easy manner make for an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience I can recommend this book without hesitation.

no pain, no gain
After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I was quite daunted at the prospect of venturing past chapter 6. Yes, it does get more complicated, but I think it has to. Chapters 1 - 6 are a great introduction to understanding the grammar of the Java language but the author purposely keeps it simple by not developing the Object Oriented concept until the reader has got settled in. He does everything in an old fashioned procedural manner inside the Main method so that the reader learns some basic ideas such as do loops and if statements. If like me you have previous knowledge of a procedural language, chapters 1-6 will definitely seem a breeze compared to the following chapters.
I do agree though that the book could explain some things better. I didn't think the explanation of the importance of accessor methods was very precise, for example. It wasn't until I'd read on in the book that I really understood how they could be used. I found the introduction of getters and setters into all the example programs unnecessary, just serving to confuse the reader and obscure the concepts being demonstrated.
I too had to re-read bits over and over to understand them but I don't consider this a criticism of the book. From my previous aborted efforts to learn Java I already knew what a difficult language it is for a complete newbie to pick up. Having read this book (in two weeks) I now know enough to get me trying out my own code and reading some more advanced books.

As a read, it's quite entertaining. There are jokes along the way and the author is chatty rather than overly dry and technical. I'll definitely take a look at the other Barry Bund Java book in the Dummies series.