Customer Reviews

Java: An Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, Third Edition

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book sets the standard. I have yet to find another computer book that comes close. I am half way through the book. I did look at Sun's site which I could not really follow since it did not have that theory and example balance. Too much of what you do not yet know is presented. I have spent about 30 hours at Amazon reading reviews and the another 30 hours in book stores searching for the best books in the Microsoft world (VB, MTS, ASP) and JavaScript books. Even with the best books (5 star) my rate of learning has always felt slow. Either I don't really know what they are talking about or they take forever to make a point and there are not enough examples. I pick this book on Java up and my rate of learning is fast. It is virtually perfect, and here is why: 1/ The order in which you can read the book is explicitly stated. 2/ References beyond the stated scope of the book are held to a minimum. 3/ Points are stated simply so you can learn from a knowledge level significantly lower than the authors. 4/ Refer to previous chapters specifically by page reference and only when necessary. 5/ The material is in a logical order. 6/ A consistent level of detail is used. 7/ Material is direct and succinct, so you need not `skim'. 8/ Examples: (i) are well written with good coding practices and no errors. (ii) are connected to other examples to help illustrate a point. (iii) are the optimum size. Usually they are too long. (iv) do not contain irrelevant code but enough to allow comprehension. (v) there is a good ratio of theory to examples. (vi) options are discussed. "This method is better than that method..." 9/ A web site for the book exists which gives corrections and supplemental material. 10/ A message board is created for the book so readers can help each other. (He did not do this but I think it is a good idea.) 11/ Tells you where to go from here. (I have to ask Savitch when I'm done.) I may get Ivor Horton's book and The Java Programming Language, Third Edition

This book makes only one assumption and that is you know nothing about computer science or programming and this my friends is a good thing for all beginners. You will learn things in this book your Intro To CS101 in high school and college probably missed. The casual yet concise to the point language used in this power packed book makes understanding object oriented java programming a breeze to learn. This book can also serve the intermediate level programmer and be retained as a great reference. Out of all the books I've read on various kinds of computer languages including 4 others on java, I really didn't beleive books like this could be wrote without forgetting to bridge at least some concepts together properly. Its value as a book has definitely exceeded its expense. If you want or have to learn java, this is the book. period!

I am a programmer, experienced in C, C++, and Java. I tried a couple of books for Java. Unfortunately, they all assumed too much from the reader. Most of the books I read assumed the reader was experienced in Object Oriented Programming. I learned C++ from Professor Savitch's "Problem Solving with C++" I should have turned to this book first(it would have saved me a lot of money). The other books I sometimes use as an alternate reference, but this is the primary book I learned Java from and this is the book I take to work(for quick reference). The readability of this book is unique to programming books. I highly recommend this book to anyone starting Java. Although it does come with CodeWarrior Lite, Sun's Java compiler is free online at java.sun.com

Anyone who is brand spank'n new to programming I strongly recommend this book. This is a perfect book for someone who wants to teach themselves outside of a class. Savitch takes the time to explain the same concept many times. This is one of the most pleasurable technical textbooks I have ever read. I also strongly recommend this book to instructors who don't have industry experience and/or are to lazy or apathetic to prepare for class.

This book is simply awesome! After trying to read several other Java books, and a couple of online tutorials, I was just confused. Until I came across this book. WOW! I actually know Java now! That's saying something people! If you need to know Java, and you have no programming experience... get THIS book. It's all you'll need.

P.S. I might mention, Savitch also quickly responded to a couple of emails I sent him (his addy's in the book) and answered my questions that same day. Now that's service!

This is a very nicely written book. Savitch presents material in a simplistic and user friendly manner that makes learning easy and fun. Many books don't explain things clearly or expect you to already know terms and concepts in Java while serving as a beginner's manual. Savitch not only makes thorough explanations and examples, but reinforces them with complete definitions and practice problems. This is the best book I've seen. I highly recommend this book to the beginning Java programmer.

I like Savitch's book. It's one of the few I've seen that doesn't assume you already know C or C++. A lot of the intro to CS stuff is review for me, but Savitch writes well so it's not boring. And I really give Savitch credit for writing that doesn't "talk down" to the reader (like an adult trying to explain something to a child). His examples include X-Files and Star Trek references, welcome changes from what I was used to in other books. (There are two email lists and a web site for the book, but I have not seen any traffic on either list.)

Savitch's book is also well-designed for use as a reference for those who know Java already.

This is truly an excellent book on Java and OOP, even if you are new to computer programming. Each topic is explained very thoroughly and the programming examples are easy to understand. The book is very well organized. Most books on Java that I've encountered are so obtuse that, even if you're familiar with programming, you'll drown in the example programs alone. It's nice to know that there's someone out there that not only understands Java and OOP but also can explain it clearly. Savitch is the man!

*Does not assume you know C++, VB etc. *Very well written and to the point. *Examples that are very well explained. It never gives examples that has things "to be explained in later chapters" as many of the books do. *Important things put in box for you so that you need not mark them. *And last but not the least,this book at no point gets boring

My learning style is visual, aka concrete (please no jokes about the composition of my skull), and with most books I frequently have trouble finding something I saw earlier that I now need to recall. The format of this book is outstanding and I am very satisfied. The author has done a great job of taking a student from raw beginner to feeling pretty darn good about programming concepts. And the big bonus is that you learn a very useful Internet oriented language at the same time.