Mastering Java 2, J2SE 1.4 [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "ONCE UPON A TIME there was an island in Indonesia known by the name of Java..." (more)
Key Phrases: Java Web Start, Java Plug-in, Max Priority (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This fully revised edition of the best-selling Mastering Java 2 focuses on the latest version of J2SE, with an increased emphasis on standard Java language skills. You get enhanced coverage of Swing and the Collections Framework, plus coverage of version 1.4's new capabilities for I/O, assertions, and printing. You also get an understanding of object-oriented programming and UML, and learn how to work with the new installation options, including Java Plug-in and Java Web Start. The companion CD-ROM contains all the sample code from the book, the J2SE 1.4 SDK, and a collection of trial Java development software, including Borland's JBuilder. Author John Zukowski is a well-known Java expert, writes columns for Sun's Developer Connection and JavaWorld, and has written a number of books on Java topics, including Swing and Collections.

From the Back Cover

The 1.4 version of Java 2 Standard Edition provides many new programming capabilities while making plenty of old tasks easier. But without reliable guidance, you'll find it hard to take advantage of even a fraction of what the new SDK has to offer. Filled with detailed coverage of the new technology, step-by-step instruction, and tips from an acclaimed Java consultant and author, Mastering Java 2, J2SE 1.4 is the resource you'll want to keep within easy reach. Coverage Includes:

Understanding the Java programming language Building forms with the Swing component set Creating superior graphics with the Java 2D API Supporting advanced data structures with the Collections API Improving the speed of your Java applications Taking advantage of Swing's support of drag and drop Understanding OOP concepts, including UML Working with Java's new assertion capabilities Using Java's new I/O capabilities: nonblocking read and write operations, application preferences, and logging Solving tough printing challenges Working with installation options, including Java Plug-in and Java Web Start Working with multiple threads and timer tasks

On the CD The enclosed CD contains all the sample code from the book, along with a big collection of free and trial software. First, you get the J2SE 1.4 SDK, so you're ready to begin programming with the new Java right away. You also get the Bean Development Kit v. 1.1 and trial versions of the VMGear OptimizeIt Suite, JBuilder 6 Enterprise Edition, and Jindent.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 928 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (April 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078214022X
• ISBN-13: 978-0782140224
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,738,558 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Horrendous, Awful,Lame and Irresponsible, June 16, 2005

By	Angelo Alfajardo "Angelo Alfajardo" (Philippines) - See all my reviews

No offense John Zukowski is one of the foremost and well known Java Programmer in the world(He has contributed to the Java Programming Arena a lot ive heard he has even written or contributed to the Java API's) however being a great programmer and being a good writer are definitely two worlds apart..His writing is put simply a presumptive approach to explaining the code yourself youll spend more time interpreting his code since obviously speaking....the explanation is absolutely not there...The book is good for the first 4 chapters(Particularly a humorous intro in Chapter 1 unfortunately bottom line java aint about humor)however as the book picks up speed you get the feeling that the author speeded up a lot of things. I found the ExitableJFrame class to have considerably lessen the length of codes in JFrame and Application type of programs however this code simply limits the Object Oriented Capability of the JFrame class. For Example in order to set the container background using the Container interface implementing the ExitableJFrame class doesnt work.(ex: c.setBackground(new Color(22,33,144));) on the JFrame class

The next time mr. zukowski you write a book please put a premium on explaining things cause to be honest i think some of this good reviews are all a bunch of crap(maybe a token of appreciation from your friends). If anyone doubts me try buying the book ...Youll end up wishfully thinking...Where the hell is the logical explanation i was hoping for..In the end youve gotta do more of "the explain the code yourself" than "the learn java programming"
(This absolutely is a dangerous practice since sometimes people think what they thought was right however as soon as it is applied....Programming Logic fails) I found one particular chapter useful though and that was The chapter on PRINTING for the rest however youll find this book is no good. You will fare better with books from Herbert Schildt or Paul Deitel or Cadenhead or Ivor Horton...Zukowski?? Maybe a lame reference book!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most useful for learning some specific parts of Java, February 5, 2003

By	Milan Golubovic (Sombor, Serbia and Monte Negro) - See all my reviews

I have read "Thinking in Java..." by Bruce Eckel and some other Java books and I have found that
this book, "Mastering Java 2 J2SE 1.4", covers same material in a different way, with lot of
diagrams and pictures, wich has helped me to read it with joy. There are some mistakes
in source code, wich I have found on accompanied CD, but I have found easy to rectify it.
I would recommend this book to anybody who already knows some Java and wants to learn some
specific parts of Java, i.e. printing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good to begin..., December 12, 2004

By	Gian Carlo - See all my reviews

I'm an E-Commerce Developer (using Embed Perl, Perl5, TCL, ADP, OpenACS) for more than 7 years, and I just had the time to migrate to Java just this year. I know learning a new language needs some technical experience, otherwise your time table would have some complexity especially if you're on a fast environment. Getting this book would give you a good head start on Java (if you're serious migrating on this system). There's a lot of books out there to start your career (w/ Java) but definitely it's upto your experience level on how you react to the technicalities of the contents. Just read the book first before you buy (it's free from BN and Borders), and you'll not be disappointed later on.