Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Frank Carrano (Author), Janet Prichard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0321304284 | ISBN-13: 978-0321304285 | Edition: 2

The second edition, in Java, of the classic Walls and Mirrors approach to programming designs solutions to problems using both data abstraction (the walls) and recursion (the Mirrors). Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java: Walls and Mirrors, 2e provides a focus on the important concepts of data abstraction and data structures in a way that beginning programmers find accessible.  The first part of the book covers problem-solving techniques including a review of Java fundamentals, principles of programming and software engineering, recursion and data abstraction, and linked lists. Later chapters focus on problem solving with abstract data types including stacks, queues, algorithm efficiency and sorting, trees, and graphs. This edition contains enhanced material on OO implementation. MARKET: Readers searching for problem solving solutions through abstraction, algorithmic refinement, data structures and recursion.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Data Structures/Java

 

Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java, 2/E

Frank M. Carrano, University of Rhode Island

Janet Prichard, Bryant University

ISBN: 0321304284

 

 

The Second Edition of Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java: Walls and Mirrors, presents fundamental problem-solving and object-oriented programming skills by focusing on data abstraction (the Walls) and recursion (the Mirrors).  It is fully revised to use the latest version of the Java programming language (Java 5.0). Java 5.0 is particularly well suited for presenting object-oriented programming, and helps enhances this edition’s increased focus on object-oriented programming and data abstraction. Clear, accessible writing is complimented by a pedagogically rich presentation throughout this textbook.

 

 

The Second Edition includes:

• Early and expanded attention to learning the Java language
• Fully updated Java code and UML notation used for all psuedocode
• Coverage of advances in Java 5.0 such as generic types, iterators, and the Java Collections Framework
• Examples that illustrate the role of classes and ADTs in the problem-solving process

 

“This book stands out as one of the best data structures books I have ever seen. It offers fine coverage of data structures and problem-solving techniques, and presents material in an elegant way that students can easily understand.”

Eric Jiang, University of San Diego

 

 

"Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java: Walls and Mirrors is an effective tool for introducing students to systematic solution design and lucid programming style. Walls and Mirrors makes teaching simpler and learning easier through its clear explanation of concepts, elaborate illustrative examples, and wide-ranging selection of problems."

Sandip Sen, The University of Tulsa

 

 

“The strength of Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java: Walls and Mirrors lies in its systematic approach to developing problem solving and programming skills.  It provides clear, effective coverage of the fundamentals of software development.” 

Chakib Chraibi, Barry University

Product Details

• Paperback: 900 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 2 edition (October 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321304284
• ISBN-13: 978-0321304285
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Algorithms > Data Structures

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No Improvement with 2nd Edition..., May 19, 2006

By 

Jane Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

There are several problems with this book, from a student's standpoint. I concur with the reviewer above who stated that the book has too much pseudocode. It is very difficult to know exactly what to do when it comes to the actual programming, since there are so few concrete examples written in Java.

Additionally, the writing is tedius and boring - the authors repeat the same point in many ways through each chapter, to the point where the same sentence is there tens of times, just worded slightly differently. It's confusing and frustrating for students trying to do the assigned reading, which takes hours due to the writing style and really doesn't convey much actual information.

Finally, there are very few self-test questions with answers. How can we learn if we can't correct our mistakes? The exercises should have answers or solutions so we can see how we are doing. This is especially true for students who are teaching themselves. If they are taking a class and the Instructor wants to set problems or assignments, he or she should make up his own.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 28, 2008

By 

LadyLuck - See all my reviews

This review is from: Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I didn't appreciate this book until after I was finished with my class and had moved on to upper level programing classes at my University. I had an excellent teacher for the class and just never read the book. Now, in my new class, which we are using c++, we are working with more complicated and in depth use of the same concepts and algorithms that are in this book. I was rusty on working with it so I searched a gazillion books and all over the web and was still confused about what I needed to do my project before I remembered that I had it before in java and grabbed this book off my shelf. I was amazed at how amazingly precise and well defined each algorithm and code was after search for a solution all day. It teaches you HOW to program these concepts, not just give you the code. Shows you how to think about the problems. Very very good book.

Those who think this book has too much psuedocode are most likely to be fairly new to programming and don't understand the syntax and how to piece things together as well as they might need; plus I don't recall ever enjoying learning any concepts with Java. The psuedocode in this book pretty much tells you exactly how to program the topic, and even more importantly, shows you exactly what is happening. Psuedocode can be difficult to visualize when you are new to programming, this is true, but with more a little experience, I find this book invaluable. The book is about programming concepts explained using Java, it is not a java book.

4.0 out of 5 stars great transaction, January 10, 2011

By 

Marquis - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with Java (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

The seller was timely and efficient in providing the book. Was in usable condition, neatly shipped, and came at a great price. Got what I paid for with great service to boot.