Programming and Problem Solving with Java [Paperback]

James M. Slack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1999

This book lays the foundation of programming skills for the computer science major, with an early introduction (in Chapter 2) of the basic concepts of objects, classes, selection and iteration, and how graphics are handled in Java. The rest of the book builds on this core knowledge base. A major advantage of this book is that several key topics in the course - including graphical user interfaces (GUIs), graphics, applets, and exceptions - are presented in optional, stand-alone appendixes at the back of the text, making it easy for instructors to discuss them in class in the order that best serves their course objectives. Most of the text's chapters end with an overview of important areas of professional work and research in the field of computer science, including discussions of graphics, artificial intelligence, and database systems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology; 1 edition (December 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534374867
• ISBN-13: 978-0534374860
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,053,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Programming and Problem Solving with Java, December 13, 2000

By 

T. DeLeeuw (Rochester, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Problem Solving with Java (Paperback)

I purchased this book to use as a text for a beginning programming class and found the programming logic to be adequate, but overall I am not impressed with the way the author tries to teach Java in the text. I found his outline to learn and his methods of teaching the basics very poorly laid out. I feel it did not teach the basics of learning programming in any language, much less Java. What it did address, I don't feel it was presented in the proper order...he tried to teach you how to run before you even knew that you had feet. I would not recommend using this book to learn Java. This book was my initial exposure to programming and the only thing I learned for sure is that there has to be a better way to learn Java, or any other programming language, than the author presents in this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing!, August 28, 2000

By 

Robert Klaven (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Problem Solving with Java (Paperback)

I read this book after reading Beginning Java 2 by Ivor Horton and Slack's book is a poor comparison to Horton's. I'm sure that a person could probably learn Java by reading this book but why do it the hard way? Try Horton's book, you'll be impressed.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Java book so far., July 29, 2001

By 

Paul Chin (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Problem Solving with Java (Paperback)

I teach programming and I have read many Java texts and I find this book to be among the easiest in terms of understanding and also complete in its coverage of the basics of programming. The book explains step-by-step the intricacies of the language and doesn't assume any background knowledge.

It gives plenty of examples of Java applications as opposed to Deitel's book which invariably talks mostly about applets. I also like the titbits of additional knowledge found at the end of each section, which touches on basic concepts in computer science. The treatment on IO and GUI is also excellent.

I also like the way that OOP are being taught by the use of the Turtle Class, specially written by the author. The Turtle Class is used to demonstrate how Classes are being extended by writing new methods and adding to it. A superb method of teaching, I must say.

I would definitely recommend it as a text for a Computer Science degree course.