Java For Dummies [Paperback]

Barry Burd (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470371730 | ISBN-13: 978-0470371732 | Publication Date: August 11, 2011 | Edition: 5th

The top-selling beginning Java book is now fully updated for Java 7!

Java is the platform-independent, object-oriented programming language used for developing web and mobile applications. The revised version offers new functionality and features that have programmers excited, and this popular guide covers them all. This book helps programmers create basic Java objects and learn when they can reuse existing code. It's just what inexperienced Java developers need to get going quickly with Java 2 Standard Edition 7.0 (J2SE 7.0) and Java Development Kit 7.0 (JDK 7).

• Explores how the new version of Java offers more robust functionality and new features such as closures to keep Java competitive with more syntax-friendly languages like Python and Ruby
• Covers object-oriented programming basics with Java, code reuse, the essentials of creating a Java program using the new JDK 7, creating basic Java objects, and new Eclipse features
• A companion web site offers all code from the book and bonus chapters

Written by a Java trainer, Java For Dummies, 5th Edition will enable even novice programmers to start creating Java applications quickly and easily.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Jumpin' Java! The bestselling Java beginner's book is now fully updated for Java 7!

Java, the object-oriented programming language that works on almost any computer, is what powers many of those cool multimedia applications. Thousands have learned Java programming from previous editions of this book — now it's your turn! Whether you're new to programming or already know a little Visual Basic or C++, you'll be doing Java in a jiffy.

• The Java scoop — get an overview of Java, the enhancements in Java 7, and the software tools you need

• Building blocks — learn to work with Java classes and methods and add comments

• Get loopy — understand the value of variables and learn to control program flow with loops or decision-making statements

• Class it up — explore classes and objects, constructors, and subclasses, and see how to reuse your code

• A click ahead — experiment with variables and methods, use arrays and collections to juggle values, and create programs that respond to mouse clicks

Open the book and find:

• Definitions of the many terms you'll encounter

• The grammar of Java

• How to save time by reusing code

• All about if, for, switch, and while statements

• An overview of object-oriented programming

• Hints about handling exceptions

• How to write Java applets

• Ten ways to avoid mistakes

Visit the companion website at www.dummies.com/go/javafordummies5e for lots of code samples that you can use in your Java programs

Learn to:

• Combine several smaller programs to create a bigger program

• Work with new libraries, closure, parallel frameworks, and other new features

• Create basic Java objects and reuse code

• Handle exceptions and events

About the Author

Barry Burd, PhD, is a professor of mathematics and computer science at Drew University. He frequently contributes to various online technology resources, including JavaBoutique.com, and is the author of Ruby On Rails For Dummies and the previous edition of this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 5th edition (August 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470371730
• ISBN-13: 978-0470371732
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Java
  • #15 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Introductory & Beginning
  • #63 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction, February 12, 2007

By 

Ian Bates "utrinque paratus" (Malaga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Java For Dummies (Paperback)

I am a mature University student studying Web Development and Programming.I needed a gentle introduction to Java, and this book has provided just that.It takes the reader by the hand and introduces all of the basic concepts in an informative and uncomplicated manner (not an easy task).
The author is also very accesible.I had a problem with some code and he responded to my email within hours.(He pointed me to a posting on his Weblog which did just the trick).
I approached Java with some trepidation but thanks to Mr Burd I am now feeling very confident about tackling the more complicated issues.
I am also more than holding my own at University.I can`t thank the author enough.
An introduction to Java that I would highly recommend to anyone.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction for Newbies, August 18, 2007

By 

Ruthi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Java For Dummies (Paperback)

I needed a book that would explain the important concepts of java, but also introduce them to me from scratch. This book did exactly that. The writing is great, and easily understood, even if java itself seems to give me headaches! There are examples of pretty much everything that is explained, and whenever I had a moment where I looked at a code and said "what is that?" it would be explained a few pages later. All around good book.

The only reason I don't give it five stars is because there were no exercises for the beginner. This is a major oversight since reading about something and understanding it is so different from actually doing it. I had to go to another book for exercises and found they didn't always line up with what I was learning. The explanations themselves, however, were great.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR BEGINNERS WHO ARE INTRESTED IN JAVA, January 20, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Java For Dummies (Paperback)

What can i say, if you ever want to learn JAVA then this is your book. For some time i have found it hard to understand the basics in java, most of the books i have read gave me headaches they are just to complex but this book by Proff Barry Baud is an absolute knockout. The intresting thing about the book is the manner in which he wrote the book its very easy to undestand complex topics are broken down into bits and pecies that you can undestand.