Customer Reviews

Java Developer's Reference

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I chose this book after a cursory examination to be my desktop Java reference. 1,200+ pages of material, after all, must cover every question I could consult it on, couldn't it? At first glance, the last 700 pages which contain package by package, class by class and method by method descriptions would seem to satisfy my requirements. But the true trial would come in time.

The first 500 pages are worthy of mention as they apply to the neophyte to Java, or those seeking an intermediate-level tutorial. The authors give a sound overview of the Java Language in Chapter 3, with several of the following chapters relating Java to C++, Borland Delphi and Microsoft Visual Basic for readers already familiar with those languages. Issues relating to Applets/Application, HTML and HotJava, and the tools that came with JDK 1.0 (javac, javah, javadoc, etc.) are also given their own chapters. The tools are well described with easy-flowing text and usage examples, and they do have tables of command-line options for reference within the chapters.

In the second part, the authors contribute individual chapters covering topics such as the Abstract Windowing Toolkit, Threads and Native Methods. These are enlightening and they have code examples instructive to the beginner. I believe this content could've been better interlaced with the reference composing Part III.

The reference, at first seemingly complete, becomes shallow when put to the test of usage as a "Developer's Reference". My first consultation, to the StringTokenizer class, re-affirmed my confidence in having chosen this book. That class included short example code and good descriptions of every constructor and method. Unfortunately, StringTokenizer is an exception and not the rule. The java.io package descriptions, shrunk to single sentences that expressed little more than the class or method name.

The publisher does offer "continuous Java 1.1" updates via the WWW, although I prefer printed documentation when I need something to refer to while working through a problem. Certainly, Sun Microsystems offers the most up-to-date Java documentation, so the hyper-text already obsolete CD-ROM and publisher's web pages aren't offering anything newer.

This book amounts to a pricey tutorial on Java for those already familiar with other object oriented languages; or a fair if not comprehensive reference to the JDK 1.0. As either, it leaves something to be desired.

Looks to be a fine reference on Java, but it's of little use if you're one to program in JDK 1.1 or later since it focuses on JDK 1.0.2. An updated version would be more appropriate.

While other people who've reviewed this book tanked it for not being comprehensive enough, I that's unfair. It's unrealistic to expect to find EVERYTHING you need on a language as expansive as Java in a single volume. This book is not meant to be the Physician's Desk Reference of Java programming. Rather, it is an excellent introduction to the language for people a little more sophisticated than the "21 Days" crowd. The chapters are brief and to the point. I for one was extremely grateful to not have to read for the bajillionth time a long explanation of what loops are for. Or some arcane [stuff] about the infinitesimal details of the javac compiler. It gave just enough info for someone already familiar with programming to know what they need to get working.

No, the class and package documentation are not up to date. But "Hello, ...!", it's a book written on a static output medium called "Paper". If you want the Java 2 documentation, go to Sun's site. If you want an explanation of how to READ the Java documentation and have it make sense, read this book.

The bottom line is, if you're looking for excruciating detail on threads, this book is not for you. If you're looking for enough info to get conceptually well grounded and start putting them to use, then this is it. I just wish I could find books like this on ALL programming languages. It would save me some money and the earth some trees.

NOTE: I bought this book after it was out of print, and I still found it useful. Consider buying it used.