Developing Java Software (third edition) [Paperback]

Russel Winder (Author), Graham Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0470090251 | ISBN-13: 978-0470090251 | Edition: 3

This significantly updated new edition of Developing Java Software is a thorough presentation of object-oriented design and programming concepts using the Java 5 programming language. The book takes the reader from the basics of using Java 5 to the creation of complete, object-oriented programs. Following an ‘objects early’ approach, the core elements of the Java language are covered, including the use of recently added features such as generics.

The encouragement of the proper creation and use of classes, and the demonstration of the strategies used to create good quality code are at the core of this book. You will learn how Java programs work and how they can be designed and implemented in an organized and systematic way. In addition, the book addresses how a Java programming project should be managed and introduces the Ant build tool and the Subversion version control system.

Testing has always been an important part of Developing Java Software. This edition provides new chapters which give a detailed introduction to Test-driven Development (TDD). This approach to programming introduces more rigor to writing programs by placing emphasis on writing high quality testable and tested code from the outset. A series of examples and case studies shows how TDD works and highlights the strategies for testing code.

Reflecting recent changes to the Java programming language and newly focused on first courses in programming, this excellent primer is ideal for classroom use or self-study. The many motivating examples and larger case studies show how core ideas can be applied when creating real applications, and show how to use object-oriented methods effectively to create robust, reliable, and fully-tested Java applications.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Java has the advantage of being platform agnostic, free, object-oriented and based on current best practice. Interestingly, the authors of Developing Java Software say they will teach you to develop software in Java starting with objects and working down to individual elements of the language rather than the more usual reverse approach. They don't quite pull this off because, without some knowledge of operators, structures and syntax you can't do anything at all with an object, however elegantly implemented. However, this approach does leave the authors with a goal-oriented approach, which works well.

In effect, they approach Java program development from the point of view of a working programmer, more interested in achieving an end than in the philosophical underpinnings of the means. However, this isn't a Java cookbook, but rather more of a self-teach or course book. Each chapter is largely self contained and ends with a series of tasks, for some of which sample solutions can be found online. The main thrust of Developing Java Software is, if anything, creating well-documented, efficient and robust Java programs suitable for real world use. To this end it emphasises good style, error handling, defensive programming, testing, testing and testing.

Developing Java Software is particularly strong on programming with graphical interfaces. Almost all programs intended for end users must now work graphically with familiar GUI components. The authors demonstrate the GUI basics but go well beyond them into practical problems, such as graphing data, layout managers and even a simple text editor. Toward the end of the book the authors tackle a number of larger problems, including mail merge, a pedestrian crossing simulator (with author errors included as an object lesson--sic) and ants. The last is fun as well as informative. This well-designed book is a perfect place to start learning about Java for anyone confident enough to install the JDK. The only complaint is JDK2 doesn't come with it.--", Steve Patient , , Amazon.co.uk#"Aimed at developers creating well-documented, efficient and robust Java programs for the real world, the authors of

"Developing Java Software" start with objects and work down. They emphasise style, error handling, defensive programming and testing in this excellent, hands-on course book.", , , Amazon.co.uk#

"This book bridges the gap between academic computer science and the reality of IT by interspersing coverage of subjects such as data structures with emphasis on project case studies. The resulting hybrid is interesting and often fast-paced". (Computer IT Bulletin, May 2002) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This book takes the reader from the basic principles of object-oriented design and programming using Java, through to class library construction and application development. It teaches fundamental programming concepts, object-oriented principles and how to exploit class-based abstraction. This is supported by a detailed description of how programs are designed and is illustrated by substantial examples. With the core concepts in place the book then provides a Java programming language reference detailing each language feature from types and variables through to classes, exceptions and threads. A key part of the reference is the provision of many small example programs, allowing the reader to see how the language features are used. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 912 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (December 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470090251
• ISBN-13: 978-0470090251
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,940,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best programming manual, in any language, I've ever seen, September 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Developing Java Software, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

First, let me say that I already have some knowledge of C and C++, so I can't comment with certainty on how useful this book would be to someone new to programming, although I suspect it would be great.

Having said, that, I must give this book a very enthusiastic recommendation. I've never seen a book which makes it so easy to learn a language on your own! The reasons for this are many: the book is very well organized, with each chapter covering a topic thoroughly and in depth; each example has a "solve the problem" feel to it, with a statement of the problem, the text of the program, and suggestions about testing the program; each chapter ends with really well-chosen exercises followed by harder "challenges" -- much better than the common "Write a program which uses inheritance"-type exercises which are usually found in programming books. The exercises are the highpoint of the book for me. They are actually useful programs that you might want to come back to and reuse, and they are just long enough and demanding enough to make them worth the effort, without taking you weeks to finish (most will take you a few hours).

All in all, I wish I had used this as a textbook as soon as I began to learn programming.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for newbies, January 18, 2007

By 

Alejandro Barrera - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Developing Java Software (third edition) (Paperback)

I had read a review of this book and bought it without a doubt. It's not a bad book at all, but I, being a programmer myself, found it very basic at first. I mean, they introduce you to the basics of programming but in Java which is incredible good for newbies and people learning to program but not for people trying to learn a 4th or 5th language.

Something I really love about this book are the examples it has. It's full of them, very well organized and structured. They give you a statement and then they proceede to the

design, implementation, review and testing phases. I find it very important, as a professional programmer that someone is teaching the new guys how important the reviewing and testing phase is!

One thing I miss sometimes, specially coming from a C/C++ background is that they don't explain the internals of Java. I mean, they don't let you know what magic Java does in the inside, like for example that when you declare an objects, it gets stored in the heap.

In conclusion, a wonderful book if you're a complete stranger or very new to programming with lots of examples to practice with as well as practical cases that are very helpful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for real world programmers, June 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Developing Java Software (Paperback)

DJS is written in a clear and concise prose with excellent attention to detail, without cluttering the issue. The book explains many of tha basic programming fundamentals required to create robust and correct code with the Java language. Many books which I have seen up to now covering the Java language are too envolved with scraping the surface of everyting. This book does the opposite, it doesn't try to tell you everything there is to know about Java, but what it does tell you is how to use the language and the important libraries effectively. There is also a heavy influence of the use of algorithms (searching sorting etc) and data structures (binary trees, lists etc) which are the building blocks of effective programming. I used this book at Kings College Lonodon and found it extremely informative. Clearly the other student who didn't like it was not up the course or just couldn't be bothered.