Customer Reviews

Java In A Nutshell, 5th Edition

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As far as the information inside the book goes, it's a great book that describes the basics of Java in a simple, here's what you need to know format. It describes everything you need to know about Java syntax, objects, etc, etc, etc. The big reason to get this is for the Java 5.0 info, which is scattered throughout Chapter 2. There is also Chapter 4, which goes into more detail on some of the more interesting features of Java 5.0.

However, the bulk of the 1200+ pages are essentially the javadoc, with some additional notes. In thumbing around and looking at random class descriptions, I didn't see anything I couldn't get from the javadoc. This is obviously a personal preference - if you like the hardcopy, it might work for you. It just seems like a waste to me.

I would have been much happier with the first 400 pages and a note on page 401 that said "buy another book if you need the apis" or "go read the javadoc". A 400 page Nutshell book I can throw in the backpack, thumb through, and carry around. A 1200 page Nutshell (like Java 5.0 for that matter) seems to be suffering from a bit of unnecessary bloat.

Here's a classic that just keeps on keep up with the state of the language... Java In A Nutshell (5th Edition) by David Flanagan (O'Reilly). But it's definitely getting pretty large...

Rather than list the chapters like I usually do, I'll forego that this time in that I'll probably overrun the Amazon word limit. Suffice it to say that if it's a core part of the Java language as of version 5.0, it's probably in here...

The good stuff... Flanagan has once again done an outstanding job in providing a succinct reference manual that covers the latest version of the Java language. He's added a new chapter to cover Java 5.0 features such as generic types, enumerated types, and annotations. There is also coverage of some new features in chapter 2, such as autoboxing and the new for/in statement. This coverage method (most of the new stuff in one area) means that readers who are upgrading their copy can easily flag the new material they need to read. And rather than keep a lot of older material floating around, he's also eliminated some language features that are either deprecated or are not widely used. Granted, if *you* are one of the few using it, that's not good, but you have to draw a line somewhere. Other than that, it's the same solid, no-fluff coverage of the Java language in the first 400 pages that you've come to expect in this Nutshell volume. The reminder of the 1200+ pages covers Java API documentation, which is useful if you're looking for a particular method or property you're not familiar with.

The bad part is probably the page count... Although the print is small and the information is packed tightly, 1200 pages still makes for a pretty thick book. Some will make the argument that you can get the last 800 pages (the API documentation) on-line, which is true. I tend to prefer having pages I can flip through without having to do a lot of hyperlinking. Plus you can jot down notes or flag certain parts you reference quite often. I'm almost of the opinion that perhaps it's now time to split the book into Java In A Nutshell - volumes 1 and 2. Put the API info in a second volume and make it easier to work with...

I still think this is a "must have" book for any Java programmer... It just may be time to take a hard look at the packaging for the 6th edition.

I've owned every edition since the first and I continue to recommend it. Part I is a great introduction to Java for novices. It is also great for experienced Java programmers to learn the new language features.

My only criticism is that over the years this "in a nutshell" book has expanded to the fill the size of a coconut. Starting with the 4th Edition, I began to recommend that novice Java programmers just read Part I. The author should drop Part II from subsequent editions as printing the Java APIs is a waste of paper and shelf space.

This kind of classic book has its merit, but this version has quite a few problems
We don't want a 'man page' like reference book, the list of member functions with NO samples or descriptions are closed to useless.
For example: I looked at section 5.4 about Calendar,here is the code:
// Display the current time using a short time format for the current locale
DateFormat shortTime = DateFormat.getTimeInstance(DateFormat.SHORT);
DateFormat myformat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy.MM.dd");
Date leapday = myformat.parse("2000.02.29");

I don't remember the SHORT and yyyy.MM.dd, so I decided to check the reference. In DateFormat page, the book says "The getdateInstance( ) methods return a DateFormat object suitable for formatting dates in either the default locale or a specified locale. A formatting style may also optionally be specified; the constants FULL, LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT, and DEFAULT specify this style."

Does that make any sense? no, I don't know how to deal with Locale and the difference between those MEDIUM,SHORT stuff.

So I check my SUN javaDoc in a lovely windows chm format, it says so clearly about all the information I am looking for and even with a few examples! It also even put explainations in lists
"SHORT is completely numeric, such as 12.13.52 or 3:30pm
MEDIUM is longer, such as Jan 12, 1952
LONG is longer, such as January 12, 1952 or 3:30:32pm
FULL is pretty completely specified, such as
Tuesday, April 12, 1952 AD or 3:30:42pm PST.
"

Then I check SimpleDateFormat in the book, it DOES NOT say anything about "parse"! The only thing it gives is:
public java.util.Date parse(String text, ParsePosition pos);

Come on, what is pos? I have to look for it in JavaDoc again.
It says "
Parses text from a string to produce a Date.
The method attempts to parse text starting at the index given by pos. If parsing succeeds, then the index of pos is updated to the index after the last character used (parsing does not necessarily use all characters up to the end of the string), and the parsed date is returned. The updated pos can be used to indicate the starting point for the next call to this method. If an error occurs, then the index of pos is not changed, the error index of pos is set to the index of the character where the error occurred, and null is returned.
"

What a shame to O'Reilly. I really hope in the next version they can:
1. Add some description to the most useful member functions in each class.
2. Add a simple example for each Class or add cross reference.
3. Add an idiom code sample for each class
4. Remove 'not that useful' member functions, so many classes have "clone, equals, tostring, hashcode" in it, do you really want to list them??

... and a solid "Java in a Nutshell" is one of them. What can I say? I started with v1.1 and have bought every version up to v5.0.
I can relate to the main complaint of the other reviews: the book's size. I agree that the second half of the book parrots the JavaDoc, but it is somewhat different and helpful, especially if you've grown used to looking through it to find stuff.
I don't know what the answer is. Hey, I have an idea: blame Sun, not David. At the risk of getting flamed and/or flack, I have oftentimes thought that the Java language is just growing out of control. Some might argue that we need all of this stuff. Perhaps that is true, but is it really worth the hit that each and every developer takes every time they try to find something is this vast ocean of APIs?
Ahh, remember the good old days of K&R "C"?

The "Java in a Nutshell" series probably peaked in usefulness around the second edition. The only reason it has eroded somewhat in value is:
1. The size of the language has grown to the point that key parts of the language - enterprise and foundation classes - were omitted and spun off into their own nutshell series.
2. Even the core portion of the language has grown so much that the resulting book has become quite unwieldy.
However, that being said, I would want a copy of this reference on my desk as long as up-to-date editions are in existence. You probably cannot learn Java from this book alone, but many key points on syntax and language features are concisely presented in the first part of this book along with good examples. Chapter four alone, on changes specific to Java 5, along with pertinent examples, is worth the price of admittance. The second part of the book is mainly just a listing of the javadoc, with some good notes and crossreferencing that make the information worthwhile. A good companion to this book is the latest edition of "Java Examples in a Nutshell" which contains many good illustrations of the Java programming language in action.

I teach an undergraduate course on Java, focussing on concurrency and other "advanced" features, and have found that the 5th edition of Java in a Nutshell makes an excellent textbook. It can be a little intimidating for some students at the start, especially those who prefer a wordier style with more asides and less meat, but they mostly get used to it and see the value. The initial tutorial material is fast-paced and well-suited to people who can already program, and the reference material at the back is incredibly helpful for beginners who need to browse the libraries to see what is available. Java is a big language, and this is a big book, but it's extremely useful.

If you re involved in Java development you'll enjoy having this book in the desktop.

It's a reference book, don't expect to use it as bed reading, I suggest other titles as "Learning Java" from the same publisher to fill your nights.

As a reference book it's a must have.

Although this book is an in-depth reference rather than a programming manual, I think it would also be useful to those who want to get an overview of the language. The first 160 pages contain an excellent description of the Java language along with a few carefully selected code examples. The next 150 pages introduce the Java platform as well as the new Java 5.0 features. All basic API functionality is described and exemplified by short code examples. Thus by reading the first 300 pages you get a concise, yet thorough overview of Java. The matter-of-fact writing style may not be everybody's cup of tea, indeed some may find it a bit dry. On the other hand, I find it much preferable to the wordy and chatty style of so many other "introductory" computer books. At least, the author isn't wasting my time. The largest part of the book -ca. 800 pages- is taken up by detailed API documentation. The book is well organised, meticulously accurate, and authoritative. You may want to come back to it often. I certainly do. Five stars because it's really useful.

I use this Java book more than any other programming book I've ever had. That's probably because it's a reference book. Although all the reference material I could need is available online, I still like having the book on the desk next to me so I can look up a class or a method without playing around on the computer. I became a Sun Certified Java Programmer several years ago and although I've read many Java books before then and since then, the only book I would be hard pressed to do without is this one!