Big Java: Compatible with Java 5, 6 and 7 [Paperback]

Cay S. Horstmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470509481 | ISBN-13: 978-0470509487 | Edition: 4

This book introduces programmers to objects at a gradual pace. The syntax boxes are revised to show typical code examples rather than abstract notation. This includes optional example modules using Alice and Greenfoot. The examples feature annotations with dos and don'ts along with cross references to more detailed explanations in the text. New tables show a large number of typical and cautionary examples. New programming and review problems are also presented that ensure a broad coverage of topics. In addition, Java 7 features are included to provide programmers with the most up-to-date information.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

No one brews up a better Java guide than Cay Horstmann, and in this Fourth Edition of Big Java he's created his best one yet. Thoroughly updated to include Java 7, this edition of Horstmann's best-selling text helps students absorb computing concepts and programming principles, develop strong problem-solving skills, and become better programmers, all while exploring the elements of Java that are needed to write real-life programs.

In preparing the new edition, special attention was given to the quality and variety of exercise material- from skill-oriented multiple-choice questions to short code-completion exercises to multi-step lab exercises-offering instructors more ways to engage students at different levels, and providing more practice to students who need it.

A top-notch introductory text for beginners, Big Java, Fourth Edition is also a thorough reference guide for students and professionals alike to Java technologies, Internet programming, database access, and many other areas of computer science.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• How To sections walk through the steps to solving a problem, and Worked Examples apply these steps to motivational examples such as credit-card processing.
• Examples Tables present a variety of uses and special cases in a compact format.
• Common Errors, Tips, and Special Topics make it easy to refer back to topics when solving problems.
• Annotated Syntax Boxes call out features of typical example code to draw students' attention to the key elements of the syntax.
• Chapters have been revised to focus each section on a specific Learning Objective. Sections have been shortened to present the concepts and syntax and how they are applied.
• Early chapters have been thoroughly revised to provide more examples and concrete analogies.

Available with WileyPLUS, An Online Teaching and Learning Environment That Integrates the Entire Digital Textbook with the Most Effective Instructor and Student Resources to Fit Every Learning Style.

• WileyPLUS helps today's learners succeed in the classroom by providing programming students with almost unlimited opportunity to practice their skills and gain immediate feedback. Practice does make perfect!

Product Details

• Paperback: 1168 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 4 edition (December 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470509481
• ISBN-13: 978-0470509487
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Java

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Java 4th Edition, January 10, 2011

By 

John Boone - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Java: Compatible with Java 5, 6 and 7 (Paperback)

I like the book. However, did not realize that it was a student book. There is an option to get access to the teacher section of the website in the book ONLY IF you are a teacher at an authorized site. Otherwise forget it.

Not so bad really being that in the real world you won't have the answers any way. Having paid as much money as I did for this book it would have been nice to see the answers and to have access to the teacher pages. As I bought this book to be self taught not as a student.

Good illustrations. I think it will be a good book regardless of the lack of being able to access the teacher's side of the website the book mentions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, March 16, 2011

By 

Winnie Lai (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Java: Compatible with Java 5, 6 and 7 (Paperback)

Having never programmed before, I found this book (in combination with "Invitation to Computer Science") a really good way to learn from the basics. I also had a really good professor who may have contributed to my ability to pick up the concepts and language but overall, I did A LOT of reading from this book and worked really hard on the examples and feel I have learned a lot although I do not think that with this book alone I would be able to teach myself Java.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars takes quantum leaps, not good for beginning programming, February 3, 2012

By 

xerces1492 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Java: Compatible with Java 5, 6 and 7 (Paperback)

While it's never a good idea to take Java as an introductory language, the problem becomes even more confounded when your textbook expects you to already have had a university-level class in OO programming (which coincidentally requires Java). Worst of all, the text is poorly structured. Example: The text briefly mentions accessor and mutator methods and includes them throughout the chapter without identifying that they are in fact the accessor and mutator methods you were looking for. They aren't identified as such until the next chapter and by that time you're wondering what is the difference between default constructors and parametric ones and it turns out you've been using them throughout the last chapter and they are only differentiated in the next chapter. This textbook has the worst layout and structure of any textbook I've ever had to use and it assumes that you are an OO guru. If you are a teacher, please do your students a big favor and do not use this text.