Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study.
The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.
That's how your brain knows.
And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and it's effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.
If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read.
By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
It has taken four years, but with Head First Java the introductory Java book category has finally come of age. This is an excellent book, far more capable than any of the scores of Java-for-novices books that have come before it. Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates deserve rich kudos--and big sales--for developing this book's new way of teaching the Java programming language, because any reader with even a little bit of discipline will come away with true understanding of how the language works. Perhaps best of all, this is no protracted "Hello, World" introductory guide. Readers get substantial exposure to object-oriented design and implementation, serialization, neatwork programming, threads, and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
Key to the authors' teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there's little discussion of why the exercises' correct answers are what they are, it's clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you've waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. --David Wall
Topics covered: The Java programming language for people with no Java experience, and even people with no programming experience at all. Key concepts read like a list of Java features: Object oriented design, variable type and scope, object properties and methods, inheritance and polymorphism, exceptions, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), network connectivity, Java archives (JAR files), and Remote Method Invocation (RMI). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"I can heartily recommend it ... It takes a lot of effort to produce a book this good and it's going to be difficult to sustain." - Computer Shopper, October 2003 "In general the book works well. I found it interesting in the way that it presented Java in a not overtly technical manner; the prose was readable and generally well structured. For example the coverage of object references I thought was well done remaining accurate while being clear to a non-expert reader." - James Robert, CVu, April 2004
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
150 of 174 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really wanted to like this book. I bought the Head First book on design patterns and love it. It was the right mix of irreverance and information. So, I bought this book even though I have been a Java developer for over 5 years. I was excited to see how the Head First authors handled a beginners book for Java.
Not too well, in my opinion. Chapter Three, in particular, was a mess. This chapter introduces the notion of variables yet never explains what an integer variable is. No explanation is given of the float type. We are told that a byte holds 8 bits...but not told what a bit is. We are not told how to assign a hexadecimal value to an int. We are not told that if we assign a numeric value with a leading zero...the compiler will assume that you meant to use octal values. The reader is not told that Strings are immutable. These are all things that will trip up a beginner (the target market for this book). The author of this chapter doesn't even bother to mention that a Java array uses a zero-based index.
Both primitives and the notion of classes are introduced in Chapter Three. Yet, the author doesn't mention that all primitives (except boolean) have wrapper classes. Strings are introduced...but, no mention is made of the StringBuffer or StringBuilder (very useful and often used classes). These items are included in the back of the book in Appendix B.
There are so many things left out that I wonder if the publisher actually had any beginners read this book. Readers of this book will finish this book still ignorant of many Java essentials.
Here is one of their dumbed-down explanations for an object reference:
"Think of a Dog reference variable as a Dog remote control. You use it to get the object to do something (invoke methods). An object reference is just another variable value. Something that goes in a cup. Only, this time, the value is a remote control."
Huh? Granted, they had been using the "cup" metaphor before...but, still I found this book confusing, superficial, and somewhat insulting. It felt like reading a children's Weekly Reader book. (It even has crossword puzzles)
I like the idea of making learning fun. However, in their attempt to make it fun they left out so much info which is pertinent to the beginning Java programmer. Apparently, another rule of the Head First series is that there MUST be a cute picture on every page. Many times, the logical flow of text is hindered because they had to fit a non-illuminating, unnecessary graphic on the page. Many of the pictures are unnecessary and do not help to explain the content at all. Many paragraphs are confusing, unclear, or simply badly structured. The editors were asleep on this one.
Many newbies are giving this book high marks. Unfortunately, they are woefully ignorant of the fact that this book left out a ton of info that is pertinent to actually coding Java well. One poster here raves that he was able to cover 60 pages in one day. In my opinion...ease of reading is not the only criteria for a good programming book.
My recommendations for Java beginners: Beginning Java by Ivor Horton or Core Java by Cay Horstmann.
Not too well, in my opinion. Chapter Three, in particular, was a mess. This chapter introduces the notion of variables yet never explains what an integer variable is. No explanation is given of the float type. We are told that a byte holds 8 bits...but not told what a bit is. We are not told how to assign a hexadecimal value to an int. We are not told that if we assign a numeric value with a leading zero...the compiler will assume that you meant to use octal values. The reader is not told that Strings are immutable. These are all things that will trip up a beginner (the target market for this book). The author of this chapter doesn't even bother to mention that a Java array uses a zero-based index.
Both primitives and the notion of classes are introduced in Chapter Three. Yet, the author doesn't mention that all primitives (except boolean) have wrapper classes. Strings are introduced...but, no mention is made of the StringBuffer or StringBuilder (very useful and often used classes). These items are included in the back of the book in Appendix B.
There are so many things left out that I wonder if the publisher actually had any beginners read this book. Readers of this book will finish this book still ignorant of many Java essentials.
Here is one of their dumbed-down explanations for an object reference:
"Think of a Dog reference variable as a Dog remote control. You use it to get the object to do something (invoke methods). An object reference is just another variable value. Something that goes in a cup. Only, this time, the value is a remote control."
Huh? Granted, they had been using the "cup" metaphor before...but, still I found this book confusing, superficial, and somewhat insulting. It felt like reading a children's Weekly Reader book. (It even has crossword puzzles)
I like the idea of making learning fun. However, in their attempt to make it fun they left out so much info which is pertinent to the beginning Java programmer. Apparently, another rule of the Head First series is that there MUST be a cute picture on every page. Many times, the logical flow of text is hindered because they had to fit a non-illuminating, unnecessary graphic on the page. Many of the pictures are unnecessary and do not help to explain the content at all. Many paragraphs are confusing, unclear, or simply badly structured. The editors were asleep on this one.
Many newbies are giving this book high marks. Unfortunately, they are woefully ignorant of the fact that this book left out a ton of info that is pertinent to actually coding Java well. One poster here raves that he was able to cover 60 pages in one day. In my opinion...ease of reading is not the only criteria for a good programming book.
My recommendations for Java beginners: Beginning Java by Ivor Horton or Core Java by Cay Horstmann.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I like writing reviews on technical books because I think they are of enormous value to those considering buying the book. I buy a lot of books online and the reviews that I read are by far the most important thing that influences my decision to buy. Or not.
I also like to read what others before me have written. In this case - and for all of the "Head First" books I have read - I heartily agree with what virtually all others have written: these books are a great way to learn complicated, and oftentimes boring, subject material.
So I won't rehash what others have already written, except to say that if what you read was good - believe it.
I think the most important thing I can say about this book is that I agree with what Hye Nyoun Eum Kim wrote: NOT for beginners. I remember thinking to myself throughout the book that a fair, or at least some, amount of Java knowledge would be necessary in order to understand what the authors were covering.
If you already know Java and want to know it better, buy this book. If you are new to Java, and especially if you are new to programming, I still recommend buying this book. But do yourself a favor - check out other introductory Java books and buy one of those as well. A good starting point? I have bought the "Just Java" (by Peter van der Linden) books ever since Java 1.0 came out.
I also like to read what others before me have written. In this case - and for all of the "Head First" books I have read - I heartily agree with what virtually all others have written: these books are a great way to learn complicated, and oftentimes boring, subject material.
So I won't rehash what others have already written, except to say that if what you read was good - believe it.
I think the most important thing I can say about this book is that I agree with what Hye Nyoun Eum Kim wrote: NOT for beginners. I remember thinking to myself throughout the book that a fair, or at least some, amount of Java knowledge would be necessary in order to understand what the authors were covering.
If you already know Java and want to know it better, buy this book. If you are new to Java, and especially if you are new to programming, I still recommend buying this book. But do yourself a favor - check out other introductory Java books and buy one of those as well. A good starting point? I have bought the "Just Java" (by Peter van der Linden) books ever since Java 1.0 came out.
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am only 12 years old, and struggled to find a java book that would teach me the language without assuming that I had previous experience with programming. This book was the answer. It was a quick read, and the pages flew by very quickly. The visually enhanced text made learning as close as possible to fun. I would reccommend this book to all who have little to no programming expierience, because it does cover some basic topics that are common to all languages.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
It's not really my cup of tea
This book is good if you are maybe younger, but I'd rather get a book that has a similar structure to "Beginning C++ Through Game Programming" or "XNA 4. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Zvjezdan
Funny book
I have been using Java professionally for almost 12 years, and didn't really need this book but thought it would be a good addition to my library since it was recommended strongly... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Voltaire
Amazing
Great book, simply the best way to learn Java programming. My brother uses it and recommended it to me. I'm so happy :)
Published 2 months ago by MikeGdl
Complete Trash
Mistakenly I had taken this class and found out that the resource is next to trash in terms of teaching a beginner of Java. Lost interest in Java because of it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Chad N Nick
This book rocks! But, not by itself.
So, here's the truth about learning programming: never, in your wildest dreams, will you find ONE book that tells you everything a beginner needs to know about programming. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Student_of_Life
Book style is too distracting and erratic
I'm a SharePoint Designer who writes training material; which I've had to study for Oracle, Unix, SQL, HTML, HL7 etc; and I've bought a ton of books. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Aebares2006
Way to learn!
I bought this book to revise my java knowledge, I was glued to it till the last page, This is the best way to learn JAVA! for beginners to experts! Read more
Published 2 months ago by srao
Well written, good examples, love the style
This book first of all is not for those that have never programmed. You should at least know SOME programming so if you ever done BASIC, Logo, JavaScript, Pascal, PHP, Perl or... Read more
Published 2 months ago by GuruEvi
Fantastic
This book is a great resource for my beginning Java students. I suggest that they buy this as a supplement to the text book to help them understand java basics. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lasea
Not that good.
For every topic in this book, you have to go find some other source and do some more reading.
Inner classes, a total of 10 lines and some funny pictures ? Read more
Inner classes, a total of 10 lines and some funny pictures ? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Koray Tugay
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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inner object, code kitchen, bass drum, action listener, local combination, exercise solutions, pink moon, lost update, crash cymbal, reachable objects, prep code, harpen your pencil, matching directory structure, simple chat client, networking threads, jnlp file, ajava program, public void play, void bark, int tick, rotate procedure, int chan, outer class, instance variable values, helper app Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Java Web Start, Dot Corns, Dot Com, Quick Dip, Low Conga, Garbage Collector, Remote Hello, Square Circle Triangle Amoeba, Head First, Real Service, Hand Clap, Low-mid Tom, Deadly Diamond of Death, Tonight's Talk, File Edit Window Help, Every Java, Shiva Moon, Tempo Down, Standard Edition, Sex Pistols, Quiz Card Player, Service Browser, Finding Emo, Deep Channel, Acoustic Snare Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
inner object, code kitchen, bass drum, action listener, local combination, exercise solutions, pink moon, lost update, crash cymbal, reachable objects, prep code, harpen your pencil, matching directory structure, simple chat client, networking threads, jnlp file, ajava program, public void play, void bark, int tick, rotate procedure, int chan, outer class, instance variable values, helper app Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Java Web Start, Dot Corns, Dot Com, Quick Dip, Low Conga, Garbage Collector, Remote Hello, Square Circle Triangle Amoeba, Head First, Real Service, Hand Clap, Low-mid Tom, Deadly Diamond of Death, Tonight's Talk, File Edit Window Help, Every Java, Shiva Moon, Tempo Down, Standard Edition, Sex Pistols, Quiz Card Player, Service Browser, Finding Emo, Deep Channel, Acoustic Snare Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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