Big Java (Paperback)

by Cay S. Horstmann (Author)
Key Phrases: advanced data structures, designing classes, implementing classes, Case Study, Programming Exercises, Using Objects (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
No one brews up a better Java guide than Cay Horstmann and in this Third Edition of Big Java he's perfected his recipe. Thoroughly updated to include Java 6, the Third Edition of Horstmann's bestselling text helps you absorb computing concepts and programming principles, develop strong problem-solving skills, and become a better programmer, all while exploring the elements of Java that are needed to write real-life programs.

A top-notch introductory text for beginners, Big Java, Third Edition is also a thorough reference for students and professionals alike to Java technologies, Internet programming, database access, and many other areas of computer science.

Features of the Third Edition:

• The 'Objects Gradual' approach leads you into object-oriented thinking step-by-step, from using classes, implementing simple methods, all the way to designing your own object-oriented programs.
• A strong emphasis on test-driven development encourages you to consider outcomes as you write programming code so you design better, more usable programs
• Helpful "Testing Track" introduces techniques and tools step by step, ensuring that you master one before moving on to the next
• New teaching and learning tools in WileyPLUS--including a unique assignment checker that enables you to test your programming problems online before you submit them for a grade
• Graphics topics are developed gradually throughout the text, conveniently highlighted in separate color-coded sections
• Updated coverage is fully compatible with Java 5 and includes a discussion of the latest Java 6 features

From the Back Cover
No one brews up a better Java guide than Cay Horstmann and in this Third Edition of Big Java he’s perfected his recipe. Thoroughly updated to include Java 6, the Third Edition of Horstmann’s bestselling text helps you absorb computing concepts and programming principles, develop strong problem-solving skills, and become a better programmer, all while exploring the elements of Java that are needed to write real-life programs.

A top-notch introductory text for beginners, Big Java, Third Edition is also a thorough reference for students and professionals alike to Java technologies, Internet programming, database access, and many other areas of computer science.

Features of the Third Edition:

• The 'Objects Gradual' approach leads you into object-oriented thinking step-by-step, from using classes, implementing simple methods, all the way to designing your own object-oriented programs.
• A strong emphasis on test-driven development encourages you to consider outcomes as you write programming code so you design better, more usable programs
• Helpful “Testing Track” introduces techniques and tools step by step, ensuring that you master one before moving on to the next
• New teaching and learning tools in WileyPLUS—including a unique assignment checker that enables you to test your programming problems online before you submit them for a grade
• Graphics topics are developed gradually throughout the text, conveniently highlighted in separate color-coded sections
• Updated coverage is fully compatible with Java 5 and includes a discussion of the latest Java 6 features

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1248 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (March 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470105542
• ISBN-13: 978-0470105542
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,164 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 strong introduction, October 1, 2008

By	Scott Schimmel "A Butterfly Dreaming" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First, this is unmistakably a book for entry-level programmers. The experienced might find other books more useful -- this one starts with basic principles.

That said, I still found it useful enough to keep my copy after I was through with the course that required it.

The writing is very clear, with numerous examples. Concepts from variables to multithreading are generally explained in an easy-to-follow manner. The book is nicely laid out and well-indexed, too, and the combination of traits makes it a good quick-reference tool for a refresher.

It is, however, lacking in depth of technical detail. This makes it easily accessible to new programmers, but experienced ones will want to have other references handy.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, March 29, 2008

By	Blue Hose Bone 311 (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

Having never taken a program course before this, I was pleasantly surprised at the candid nature of Horstmann's writing. Often, author of textbooks will sound promising in their introductions but not deliver in the execution of a tome. Here, however, we find in Horstmann a author gifted at explaining difficult concepts with a lucidity that cannot always be taken for granted. Bravo!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little too complete, a little too expensive, February 8, 2008

By	David A. Beamer (Clawson, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't get me wrong; this is a good Java text. The concepts are explained in a pretty clear manner, which is a trick when trying to explain OOP concepts to someone who has never programmed (which is the book's target audience). But that also leads me to my main criticism of the book: it tries to cover too much material. Anyone who knows C or C++ will find significant chunks of the book to be only review. Even Visual Basic coders will find parts of the book that cover stuff they already know (e.g. rudimentary programming concepts).

So if you've never written a computer program, and you want to learn Java, this might be your best bet (although your goal -- and the price of the book -- are a bit daunting). If you already know how to program, but don't know about objects or Java, I would recommend Eckel's "Thinking in Java" (4th edition), or "Head First Java" from O'Reilly.