Customer Reviews

Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

I got this book because of the good reviews, but I promptly returned it and got Head First Java, which is much more comprehensive. I got over the usual "for dummies" annoyances like the constant joking and the constant referrals to other chapters. What I couldn't get over was that this book did not go far enough. I know that it is for beginners, but this book really doesn't teach you very much at all. If it was to be a real beginner's book, maybe the author should have spent more time discussing HOW the code works and much less on the actual Java language. There also should be exercises to do on your own, and there aren't any at all. That would have offered the most value for beginner programmers.

In short, if you just want to read about programming, get this book. If you actually want to do some of it, this book isn't for you.

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.

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.

This is a great book for those who have had no previous experience with programming at all.

In the previous year I taught myself html (not very hard) so I thought that I could learn a programming language myself, so I went over to the bookstore and picked up a copy of beginning programming with java and right when I started reading it I immediatly was interested in the subject because the author Barry Burd made it fun and interesting I reccomend this for all users who want to start programming and have no idea what they are doing.

Even younger people such as teenagers can get this concept me being one myself proves this.

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.

I offer my review in the form of an email I recently sent to the author:

Dr. Burd,

I have to tell you how much I love your Java programming book. I've been searching for a way into the mysterious world of programming for quite some time, and yours is the best by far! A few years ago I took a intro programming class in which BASIC was used as the learning tool. Unfortunately it bored me to tears. In my quest for a successful self-study course I had trouble finding a book that kept me engaged. That is until I found your book! Thank you for finally giving me a route to programming that works for me!

I am a System Administrator and have been programming since 1970 when I first learned Fortran. I have also taught various beginner computer courses. I have never had a need to know Java until recently my wife (who knows nothing at all about programming) had to take a Java class for her college major. I have had good experience with the "Dummies" books in the past (I learned .ASP from a "Dummies" book), so I figured this book would help her with her class, as well as give me something to learn from so I could help her. With that in mind I was very disappointed. My wife was looking for help learning Java, and without taking the time to go through all of the "concept" material, the book was too technical for her to understand.

If you just want to learn the in depth general programming concepts and have lots of time, this book does a good job of that. For actually learning how to write Java, it is far too limited.

-It has no real complete examples to show how to fully implement the items it covers.

-It has no practice exercises.

-I covers only a very small portion of the Java code.

-There is a tear-out reference guide in the fromt that lists commands with a brief description of what they are, but some of them are not even covered in the book, so you have no idea how to use them.

-The Index is not very comprehensive so that combined with the limited commands covered, it does not even make for a good reference book. (I frequently use my other "Dummies" books for reference).

In Summary, if you are getting this to get an overview of how programming works, it is great for that (and would warrant 5-stars). But if you are getting it to learn Java, look elsewhere.

His humor combined with the descriptions of the code examples make this a great book for the beginner. I learned more from this book than I did from a semester-long class in Java. We won't even go into the price difference between the two. The ONLY drawback to this book is that there are no exercises to practice what you've learned in the preceding chapter.

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!!