Customer Reviews

Java How to Program, 7th Edition

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been programming C++ for 12+ years now (C for 23+), and I was hoping Deitel had a Developer Series book for Java (like they have for C#), but there currently is not one.

However, that did not deter me from purchasing their "How to Program" book, and it has been worth it. If you are an experienced developer, this book still contains good info, with great examples, is up-to-date with the latest Java language enhancements.

If you're one of those people who judge a book by the inverse proportion of the number of pages, please rethink your view. Sure, this book is big, but it shows all you need to know, which is great if you are new to programming, and is a minor hassle if you are not.

Colorized code helps greatly (like your IDE). It gets into language syntax/semantics but also the various java import libraries - graphics, database, et. al.

The Software Engineering tips are always "right on".

I am currently taking a graduate class in Java at my local university and this book has come in handy.

The text assumes no prior programming experience. The style is clear, if somewhat oversimplified, examples are easy to follow. There are appendices for reference on questions such as operator precedence. Problems at the end of chapters reflect the material presented.
New terms are defined precisely and clearly, and relevant examples are given. CD's with many example programs are included.
The authors, however, have a tendency to repeat themselves, possibly in an attempt to make the material more accessible. Self-evident concepts, such as that pseudocode is not real code are repeated unnecessarily. Also, sections of example Java code are reprinted in full repeatedly with code additions or variations. This repetition and oversimplified approach has resulted in a 1596 page text. Don't drop it on your foot!
Yes, I recommend this text, but you may have to exercise some patience with occasional overly drawn out exposition.

It is both detailed and easy to understand. Covers pretty much every aspect of Java with lots of examples but doesn't spoon feed you with overly simplified examples even in the early chapters. I haven't finished reading all of it yet (its a massive 1500 pages and packed) but so far I feel it has definitely been worth the money. I am looking forward to reading what seems to be an in depth coverage of Web Applications and Web Services in this book. And at the time of my writing of this review, this book is as up to date as it gets.

This book has everything my professor was talking about in my online programming class.
I have two books for my class, but didn't even need to read the other one because this book has everything.
Very good examples of codes. I like a book that has a lot of code examples. It has a long list of index too for great searching.

I used this book to begin my studies in Java. I finished all chapters and then bought an SCJP preparation book. I completed the exam with a score of 75% (59% is passing). I constantly use this book for reference. Well layed out and has everything.

This book is awesome. As with most Computer Science students, I need to focus on problem solving and writing fast and efficient algorithms. When programming, I find myself all too often debugging and searching for syntax errors in my code. This completely distracts from solving the actual problem and causes more time to be wasted. This book has so many code examples and covers so many topics, that it almost eliminates my time wandering through the API documentation and searching google for code. I wish I would have had this book when I first started programming in Java. It would have made the language much easier.

It is not a theory book and never implies that it should be, hence the title "Java How to Program". But if your looking for a Java programming guide/reference, I have never seen better.

I'm a programming newbie but am definitely not a computer newbie. Over the past decade, I've found myself modifying lines of code in some scripts to have them perform the way I want them to, without any programming knowledge. To me, as long as you understood the basics and some theory behind how computers work, you'd be able to make simple modifications to code without problems. I decided to take an intro to Java class to finally start to learn how to program from scratch, so here I am with this book, and I totally regret purchasing it.

That being said, I'm not hating on this book because I failed the class. I actually did pretty well in class and I've enjoyed everything in the class that didn't involve reading the book.

My biggest beef with this book is that it is written in the blandest and driest way possible! No doubt, these Deitel guys really know their stuff, but their writing style conjures up thoughts of what it would be like to be learn from anti-social cave-dwelling professors who speak to themselves all day in their own version of English. (You probably know what I'm talking about if you've taken math classes in college.)

I've read many books in my time and this is one of those books where you'll catch yourself re-reading a paragraph several times because it just fails to catch your attention with it's super bland, super dense style. If you want to know what it feels like to have ADD, get this book! Oftentimes you'll ask yourself why they didn't explain something more straightforwardly -- there is a tendency to have concepts explained in a long-winded way when just one or two sentences would do.

Terminology in this book is absolutely abused -- these guys expect you to follow their technical speak after they consistently explain terminology in a vague manner. Eventually you'll just try to figure out what they're saying on your own and define the presented concepts in your own way.

The book also teaches in a way where it will have you do things without explaining them, much like: "Oh, don't worry about that! We'll explain that line and concept several chapters later, just type it in for now!" And it does this very, very often. If you're like me and you like to know the logic behind every single thing you're doing when you're doing it, this book is not for you.

It might be a good book for Java newbies who aren't programming newbies. But for programming newbies, avoid this book, unless you actually liked being the kid who was thrown in the swimming pool without any swimming instruction.

UPDATE: I'm taking another class at the same school, continuing my Java education. And guess what? Using the same book. I want to kill myself.

Since writing the original review I've had a chance to read several chapters of three other programming books (one for Java and two for C++). This book is still by far the most boring book of them all. It's quite literally one of the most boring books I've ever read in my whole life -- that is NOT an exaggeration.

Do yourself a favor, read the reviews of older editions of this book, as well as other Deitel books, and see how many times you see the word "boring", "bland", or "dry" written. You'd be amazed! (Actually, you wouldn't, if you've had a chance to read the book.)

Your money would be better spent on something else.

This is THE authoritative source for Java Programming. I teach from this book, and have been teaching from previous editions as well since 1999.

The students are usually able to grasp the concepts easily enough, and the examples help to drive the concepts home.

As a professional Java developer, I still use it for a reference for some of the things I don't handle every day.

All in all, I would definitely recommend it!

Coming from a background in instructional design I immediately recognized how poorly this book was constructed. No doubt the author knows Java very well and can code at an advanced developer level, but presents how best to impart that knowledge poorly. The chunks of code used to instruct are paired with a rambling narrative often is not even positioned on the opposite page for easy reference (a good thing with teaching beginning programming, right?). I found myself often confused about what code example was being elaborated on. The instruction is dry and assumes a level of programming background inappropriate for a "how to program" book.

The many positive reviews are truly perplexing as I cannot even consider the reviews referring to the same book I suffered through. I simply cannot see them as honest reviews from a beginning programmer's perspective or even valid critiques of such an incredibly flawed teaching adjunct. Unfortunately this is used with several educators. A quick stop at my local library produced several far superior aides in learning Java. At the top of my list would be: Java: A Beginner's Guide, 4th Ed.. It is well composed and eminently more readable which again is kind of important when using it to teach

I am a hobby programmer.
I really like the style of this book.
I played with Java a little before this book and I had trouble with compiling and running the programs.(You have to edit the environmental variables in XP)
He covered that almost immediately. That alone told me how systematic his approach is.
I have not delved in any further then Chapter 8, but following the samples with the proper way of preparation is very helpful.