Introduction to Java Programming, Comprehensive Version (7th Edition) [Paperback]

Y. Daniel Liang (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0136012671 | ISBN-13: 978-0136012672 | Publication Date: May 12, 2008 | Edition: 7

Groundbreaking fundamentals — first approach enables readers to understand the basics before being introduced to more challenging topics. Liang offers one of the broadest ranges of carefully chosen examples, reinforcing key concepts with objectives lists, introduction and chapter overviews, easy-to-follow examples, chapter summaries, review questions, programming exercises, and interactive self-test. Now uses standard classes only. Offers new chapters on data structures, JSF for visual Web development, and Web services; includes a new standalone chapter on the full GUI library. Uses UML diagrams in every example starting chapter 8. Includes additional notes with diagrams. Comprehensive coverage of Java and programming make this a useful reference for IT professionals.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Liang earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Okalahoma in 1991, and an MS and BS in Computer Science from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, in 1986 and 1983. Prior to joining Armstrong, he was an associate professor in computer science at Purdue University in Fort Wayne, where he twice received the Excellence in Research award.

Dr. Liang was trained in theoretical computer science. He was active in graph algorithms from 1990 to 1995 and published more than ten papers in several established journals such as SIAM Journal on Computing, Discrete Applied Mathematics, Acta Informatics, and Information Processing Letters. Since 1996, he has devoted to writing texts and published more than thirty books with Prentice Hall. His popular computer science texts are widely adopted in the world.

Dr. Liang was elected a Java Champion in 2005 by Sun Microsystems. He has given lectures on Java internationally.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1328 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 7 edition (May 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0136012671
• ISBN-13: 978-0136012672
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars maybe its the learning style, August 8, 2008

By 

P. Lewis (Las Cruces, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Java Programming, Comprehensive Version (7th Edition) (Paperback)

I saw Dream a Little's review and came to the conclusion it may be peoples learning style that determines if they like this book. I am new at programming and the book used in the college course I took was Deittel's 7th ed. Java How to Program. This book left me with a lot of unanswered questions that other books I had checked out from the library could not answer. I was about to give up when I stumbled upon this book and was amazed and wishing I had found it sooner in the semester.
I found it explained a lot of the basics very clearly. It also had a lot more understandable examples given. Even though Deittel's book is over 1500+ pages it came nowhere near as good as the examples I found in Liang's approx 700 pages.
I was a bit spooked at the price when I bought it, wondering if I was going to regret it. But after using the book I concluded this maybe one of those instances where you get what you pay for.
Liang uses a lot of diagrams to show how the pieces fit together as well as simple to understand explanations.
If you are already a programmer in Java then I doubt this is worth the price, but for the beginner/novice who likes to see how the pieces fit together and wishes to understand why things go in the order they do, then this maybe the book for you.
If I later move to another language, I will be looking to see if this author has anything written in that category as well.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book - Highly Recommend, January 18, 2010

By 

Joyce A. Brenc - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Java Programming, Comprehensive Version (7th Edition) (Paperback)

I'm 40 years old and I have very little programming experience - a few years of basic and lisp way back in the 80s, some HTML, a touch of pearl. Point is, before attempting to learn Java, I had a basis in concepts such as loops, arrays, and so on. I did not, however, have any experience with object-oriented programing. After spending a lot of time looking for a book on Java, including going to the book store and searching on line and reading reviews, I was about to give up and get a "learn Java the easy way" type DIY book when I stumbled upon this book. I immediately liked the idea of getting a book that was the basis for college-level programming. My only concern was that the book would be too much too quickly.

I was quite happy, you'll understand, to discover that this book is not only comprehensive and extremely detailed, it is also a square-one type book, by which I mean that it covers every single concept from a basic introduction and definition to an implementation through examples. The book has many examples, and while there is redundancy in the examples, it is, IMO, a huge bonus. It is much better to have a few too many implementations than it is to not have an example of the one concept you need.

I am currently finishing chapter 6, and I've already gotten my money's worth out of this book. I have already written programs through a text editor that test my children in multiplication. Pretty darn neat, considering I've only been reading this book for about a week or two.

In my opinion, this book would be great for any beginning learner, with or without a background in programming.

I very much recommend this book if you want to learn Java. It's very clear, very well laid out, and there is no filler - no ADD-type crap - lots of pictures, lots of attempts at humor, and so on. If you want that, consider the "Java for dummies" type books. This book WILL hold your hand all along the road to learning the language, but it won't coddle you with unnecessary garbage to keep your interest. If you have the interest already, this is a great choice.

Two notes - 1. I read through the official java site beginner tutorial on the Net - too much too quick, not enough examples, and so on. This book is much much better. 2. For International Students, there is an International Edition that is substantially cheaper.

Good learning!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As thorough and complete as introductions get, December 25, 2008

By 

Luc Tassaert (Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Java Programming, Comprehensive Version (7th Edition) (Paperback)

I'm not in the habbit of writing reviews, but for this book I felt I had to, because its the best IT-book I've ever read.

In almost any book there is some passage you don't understand, no matter how many times you go over it. So you buy another one on the same subject and in that one its clearly explained. With 'Introduction to Java Programming' I've never had that. On the contrary, the more I read the more I knew I wouldn't need another book on Java, not for a couple of years at least. Its the most complete book I know.

I mustn't forget to mention the companion website at [...] . It has 6 bonus chapters and supplements on various subjects. The supplements are a bit unformatted, but you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, do you?

If you buy any book on java then buy this one. Its a peach.