Customer Reviews

Java 2 for Dummies

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've read a couple of other reviews and would like to clarify something here: In order to completely understand this book, you need to first read Barry Burd's prequel, "Beginning Java Programming for Dummies."
You can read my review and others on that book. It was a breeze. But this review is for Java 2 for Dummies. Although I have learned much from it, it does leave me wondering why he hardly ever references his earlier book. The first review I read gave this book a one-star review. I think it deserves a little more from a perspective of a person that read the earlier book.
If you're considering buying this book and do not own or have ever read Beginning Java Programming for Dummies, then this book is not for you. You must absolutely read that first, because every author and teacher has a different way of teaching.
In this case, it is more difficult because he is entirely bringing up a new subject. He intorduces Java to an absolute beginner like me very well. But the thing is, he does it in his own way. If you learned basic Java from another source, chances are they taught it in another way. You will feel confused because you aren't continuing the flow of his teaching.
Overall, here's what I think of the book.

1)Good-The author continues his prequel, Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies, in an elegant, easy-to-learn way.

2)Bad-He doesn't present it in a way that any beginner Java programmer can pick up on, only for ones who have read the prequel or other similar teachings.

3)Good-He introduces necessary pieces of Java perfect for the intermediate and gives you the skills you need to create simple to more complex programs from web applets to a sophistocated game.

Overall, I would like to give this a 3-star rating, but the content of the book presented in such a way urges me to give it four stars.

I'm astonished that this book is getting positive reviews. I took an Intro. to Java course at my local university last spring (received an "A" as well, even though I'd never programmed anything but a VCR before the course). I decided this spring to take Java 2, the next level. Wanting to brush up on my Java, I decided to read "Java 2 for Dummies".

Talk about convoluted! This book is actually making me more confused, rather than refreshing my memory on everything I'd learned last year (I'm only halfway through, but I don't think I'm going to waste any more time on it). The author launches ahead into various aspects of Java code without explaining much of it, what it does, or why you have to use it. Nor does he take the time to explain formatting conventions. One gets the feeling of being rushed through the topics, with the author's attitude being "Just type the gobbledygook you see here and your program will work. Never mind what it means or why it's necessary."

Object-oriented programming requires a great deal of careful, detailed explanation so that the student fully grasps the concepts before being shown how to utilize those concepts. Otherwise, you're just parroting back code you've been shown, without grasping how everything is working.

I usually enjoy the Dummies books for what they're worth, but this is by far the most inadequate one I've read. If you're new to programming, don't even think you're going to learn Java by reading this book. You'll need to read several other books just to "unlearn" the confusion this book is likely to leave you with and also to fill in the enormous gaps it leaves in your brain.

If you're an experienced programmer looking to learn Java, this is not the place to start. Like the title of my review says, this book is too advanced and lacking in details for beginners, but too simplistic and meandering for those familiar with programming concepts.

Stay away!

Just a quick note to say what a great and informative book the author has put together. The book has been a great kick start into Java programming and explains everything in simple terms so beginners like me can keep up.
Throughly recommended.

I'm a big fan of dummies books, have used them for years, and recommend them to students. But this one is horrid. I'm an experienced programmer with some OOP experience, and I could not follow what he was talking about. The examples where parts were completely unexplained did not help. I don't buy books so I can reread sections three times and still not be sure what the author meant. I am looking elsewhere to learn Java, and I recommed you do the same.

The book is a great primer for Java 2. Have been using it as a home schooling resource. The concepts are explained clearly, in a manner that teens from age 12 can easily grasp. The humor that peppers the text keeps them looking forward to daily sessions. Chapters and sections are sized so that you can take in a little or a lot at each reading. Coding examples helping to provide templates for your own programs.

We added in some home-grown practice assignments and got teens who were writing programs in a manner of weeks and enjoying it.

In addition, having an email address to send questions to and get quick turnaround responses is a great benefit for learning. Mr. Burd most obviously knows his stuff.

It covers all basic aspects, but that's all. It's not a bad book as long as you know what you're looking for. People knowing the basics should avoid it and search for something more detailed

Didn't work for me. The examples were ok but explaining the theory was not clear enough for me... unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any better book out there.... many on the same level as this but nothing that explains it simplistically.