The Java Tutorial: Object-Oriented Programming for the Internet (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Kathy Walrath (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Some of the best sources for learning Java are online. The Java Tutorial, Second Edition is an updated compilation of online resources from the JavaSoft Web site, edited for clarity. This guide gives you the advantage of having all you need to learn Java in one book (and includes a CD-ROM).

The authors organize the book's sections around lessons and "trails" (which correspond to online tutorials). Beginners will find the sections on running simple Java applications and applets and on the nuts and bolts of the Java programming language especially useful. However, there is plenty of expertise here for the Java expert. (Because this is all "official" JavaSoft material, it gives excellent perspective on the ideal use of Java--100 percent pure programming that runs on all hardware platforms.) For example, the sections on using the JavaStream classes present some hard-to-find material on memory streams and pipes.

Additional topics discuss how to get around the basics of creating user interfaces with AWT classes (though this is less useful because most programmers will use a Java compiler that handles the details of inner classes and adapters for them). Chapters on graphics programming benefit both beginners and experts and include a great explanation of image filters and animation techniques.

Some of the niftiest stuff in The Java Tutorial is presented in the sections on network programming in Java, with a clear explanation of reading and writing to URLs and working with sockets. (These capabilities are all built in to Java, and this tutorial shows you how to execute them.) The book finishes up with a discussion of new features in JDK 1.2--still under development--and with the printed source code for all the examples in the book. This book makes a good argument that print still has its advantages. You'd spend hours digging up the relevant tutorials online. --Richard V. Dragan

Product Description

Follow your own path to expertise with this self-guided tour of the Java programming language. Written by two members of the JavaSoft team at Sun Microsystems, the book employs a hands-on interactive approach to teaching Java basics, object-oriented concepts, applet programming, and everything else you need to know to become a proficient Java programmer.

Through a task-oriented, example-driven approach, The Java Tutorial introduces you to fundamental concepts and applications. Designed so that you can customize your own path through the specific information you need, the book explains the nuts and bolts of the language, applet construction, and the fundamental Java classes. You will also learn about more advanced topics such as creating a graphical user interface (GUI), using multiple threads, and working with Java's networking capabilities.

This Second Edition has been extensively updated to cover API changes in Java 1.1 regarding UI, networking, and I/O, and to include the latest Java language developments. New and updated material includes:

* broadcasting to other applications via a multicast socket * new I/O features, including character streams and object serialization * the latest developments in applet tags * using the 1.1 AWT event system * new language features, such as nested classes * tips for writing 100% Pure Java programs * updating 1.0 programs to use the 1.1 API

In addition, the Second Edition has been revised and reorganized to offer a stronger and more cohesive presentation, making this best-selling and award-winning book even better. The Tutorial now starts with a new lesson that introduces you to the Java phenomenon and provides a foundation for understanding the rest of the book.

The accompanying CD-ROM contains the Tutorial and all its code samples, versions of the Java Development Kit (JDK) and the JDK documentation for each major platform, a 1.1-compatible version of the Swing/JFC package of GUI components, and the HotJava Browser. The CD version of the Tutorial is a browser-friendly version that includes information not found in this book, such as draft lessons on internationalizing Java programs, calling non-Java libraries from Java programs, using the security API, developing JavaBeans components, and using the GUI components in the Swing/JFC package.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 964 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company; 2nd edition (March 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201310074
• ISBN-13: 978-0201310078
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,446,510 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for people with experience in OOP, otherwise..., May 7, 1999

By A Customer

It always amazes me how one person can give a book a "five" and another a "one". The bottom line is that a certain amount of knowledge is necessary to get the full benefit from this book. Specifically, if you have very good knowledge of Object-oriented programming (preferrably C++ knowledge) then this book is for you! Otherwise, you're out of luck. Often, the authors will introduce code and will not explain it 'till many pages later. As someone with knowledge of C++, I found myself often saying, "Yeah, that looks familiar" or "Okay, I know I don't understand it, but I'm sure it'll be explained later." I could usually guess what the unfamiliar terminology was until it was explained. Again, the explanations are very good for C++ers; otherwise you'll be left scratching your head VERY quickly. Don't think that because you know FORTRAN you'll learn Java from this book. The authors go into bit manipulation and referencing objects with the "this" terminology pretty early into the book. They often introduce new code with no real explanation. They never give any examples that let you understand why OOP is so good. However, I found myself understanding just fine. Why? Because I already know C++! Bottom line: If you have good skills in C++ or some other OOP language and need to know Java quickly, this book is for you. If you think that because you know COBOL you're going to pick this book up and be able to learn OOP, FORGETTABOUTIT!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This edition covers JDK 1.0 only, June 16, 2000

By	Chuck Costarella (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Java¿ Tutorial, The: Object-Oriented Programming for the Internet (Paperback)

This first edtion of the Java Tutorial in print covers the JDK 1.0, meaning the older event model and AWT components. I saw some editorial reviews up above that seem to gloss over this fact. Be aware that this excellent book is now outdated, and you ought to get the 2nd edition if you are new to Java programming. I just recently (June 2000) saw a print ad for a 3rd edition as well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just one more thought., January 31, 2000

By	John Peters (Kasson, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

Just read the reviews and found it surprizing that this book is either 5 stars or 1 star. To that I would say this: If you need a reference to Java then buy a reference such as "The Java Class Libraries" otherwise remember that this is a tutorial for Java (an object oriented language). Perhaps that's why there are so many references to other parts in the book. Inheritance references other things all the time. Keep working at this book, and it will open up to you.