Java Foundation Classes (Mcgraw-Hill Java Masters) (Paperback)

by Matthew T. Nelson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
References are references, and tutorials are tutorials. So it is for most books in the programming pantheon. Java Foundation Classes, however, does a curious thing: it blends the genres. Here, you'll find an exhaustive class reference complemented by step-by-step instructions for implementing many of the most popular classes.

For example, the entry for the BevelBorder class includes steps that remind you to create a border-supporting component, create the border itself, and add com.sun.java.swing.border.* to the import block. Follow those steps and you have a working BevelBorder! After that, you'll find ideas for using BevelBorders (think of these as the logical equivalents of the pictures on Lego boxes) and notes on how to accomplish specific things (like making the border wider). All these goodies come in addition to the standard inheritance information and method reference. All the Java Foundation Class components get this treatment, and it's a pleasure to work with.

On a larger scale, Java Foundation Classes is organized into a class-by-class reference and a conceptual reference for those who know what they want to do, but aren't sure which classes do it. A companion CD-ROM includes all the source code, Java Developer's Kit 1.2, and some practice questions for those interested in Java 1.2 certification from Sun.

Product Description
Foundation class libraries allow programmers to reuse code over and over again when building applications. C was the first programming language to have class libraries and every language and programming tool since has one. This is one of the first books to cover the Java Foundation Class Library.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Computing Mcgraw-Hill (May 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007913758X
• ISBN-13: 978-0079137586
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,830,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A competent how-to book and useful reference., August 27, 1998

By	Mark Mason "upstreamm" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In addition to this JFC book, I also have Gutz's book and Weiner & Asbury's Programming with JFC. This is certainly the most comprehensive of the three.

Basic and more advanced examples are offered, and each class that is covered includes a very handy public methods reference.

The coverage on JTables is inadequate in all three books, but Java Foundation Classes at least touches on most of the JTable features.

Not perfect, but definitely worth the money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A lot of pages, but not that much good information., June 22, 1998

By A Customer

This book is not well organized and (as usual with mostcurrent computer books) has a number of glaring errors in it. In a number of other instances the reader is left with confusing and contradictory code examples, explanations and concepts.

The page count of this book exceeds 1000pp; however, 700pp are API descriptions. I, too, would wait until a better book about the JFC is published.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on JFC so far, June 12, 1998

By A Customer

Pros:

The book starts simple and assumes a working knowledge of basic java. Then it talks about the most important classes and the related classes, which was very helpful in the learning process. Chapter 8 goes through each of the classes with good examples. I like that for each class there is a "Steps in Creating and Using ..." section to get you jump started. It also lists all the methods for the class and gives a short description of what each method does.

The last 4 chapters of the book implement the classes in larger applications to give an understanding of how the classes can interact. Very helpful.

This book is a great How-to book and a good reference with all the source on the CD.

Cons: Chapter 8 should be broken up or the pages ought to be indexed somehow to find a specific class quicker. Chapter 7 should cover all of the classes to match Chapter 8. Could probably leave out Chapter 9, Future technologies, or expand on it for more useful information. The last 4 chapters could probably go on the CD because they are mainly source code.