Java 2 for Dummies [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ Barry Burd (Author) "Say what you want about computers..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is a must-have book that shows Web developers how to implement rich interactive content and design great programs that take advantage of the Java 2 technology. Expert authors give you practical, useable Java code plus insights into the way professional programmers go about building applets and applications. This book makes Java programming easy by taking users step-by-step through implementing real-time updates on web pages, focusing on designing and creating original applications. The companion CD includes the latest Java 2 SDK, source code from the text, sample applets and templates and other programming tools and utilities to help you get started.

From the Back Cover

The fun and easy way to build your first Java applet or application

Jbuilder trial version and more on CD-ROM

Get up to speed on object-oriented programming techniques

Write Web-savvy Java programs — no experience required!
Java 2 is packed with tools for creating "run anywhere" applets and applications.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764507656
• ISBN-13: 978-0764507656
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,019,417 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step-by-Step and Easy to Follow, November 22, 2001

By	"weitzj" (Agoura Hills, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

For a few years now, I have wanted to learn how to program in JAVA. I bought books on JAVA but always hit road blocks along the way (because the author assumed I already knew something) that unmotivated me. In Java 2 for Dummies, Barry Burd has written a step-by-step book that could teach a near computer illiterate how to program in JAVA. He even includes directions to setting up the computer for convenience while programming. Explanations make the reader feel as though s/he is in a conversation with the author himself. I did not imagine that learning a programming language could be so easy.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turning bites into bytes, December 4, 2001

By	Chris Austin (Redlands, CA USA) - See all my reviews

As a former dentist that is taking his first stab at programming I really needed a book that assumes the reader is a total dolt. Okay, maybe dolt is a little too strong - how about extreme novice. Barry Burd's "Java 2 for Dummies" fit the bill exactly. While other authors revel in high-handed semantics Dr. Burd's style and easy manner make for an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience I can recommend this book without hesitation.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars no pain, no gain, June 17, 2004

By	"james575" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I was quite daunted at the prospect of venturing past chapter 6. Yes, it does get more complicated, but I think it has to. Chapters 1 - 6 are a great introduction to understanding the grammar of the Java language but the author purposely keeps it simple by not developing the Object Oriented concept until the reader has got settled in. He does everything in an old fashioned procedural manner inside the Main method so that the reader learns some basic ideas such as do loops and if statements. If like me you have previous knowledge of a procedural language, chapters 1-6 will definitely seem a breeze compared to the following chapters.
I do agree though that the book could explain some things better. I didn't think the explanation of the importance of accessor methods was very precise, for example. It wasn't until I'd read on in the book that I really understood how they could be used. I found the introduction of getters and setters into all the example programs unnecessary, just serving to confuse the reader and obscure the concepts being demonstrated.
I too had to re-read bits over and over to understand them but I don't consider this a criticism of the book. From my previous aborted efforts to learn Java I already knew what a difficult language it is for a complete newbie to pick up. Having read this book (in two weeks) I now know enough to get me trying out my own code and reading some more advanced books.

As a read, it's quite entertaining. There are jokes along the way and the author is chatty rather than overly dry and technical. I'll definitely take a look at the other Barry Bund Java book in the Dummies series.