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K.
N. King
Georgia State University
ISBN 0-393-97437-5
Paper
788 pages |
Java Programming: From the Beginning is an introductory college textbook aimed at the
traditional CS1 course. (Click here to
read my 1997 paper about why Java is the best choice for CS1.)
It assumes no previous programming experience. Unlike many Java
texts currently on the market, Java Programming: From the
Beginning avoids trendiness for its own sake, instead focusing
on teaching students programming skills on which they can build
a career. The emphasis is on learning how to design, implement,
and debug programs written in an object-oriented language. Topics
are introduced in a spiral fashion, with as little "magic"
as possible. Applets are de-emphasized, and there is no attempt
to introduce all the features of Java. After using this book
in a course, students should be well-prepared to move on to C++
or more advanced courses in Java.
|
High School Teachers: Java Programming: From the Beginning is
a great choice to prepare your students for the Advanced Placement
Computer Science test, which will switch to Java for the 2003-2004
academic year. Click here for more
information about using Java Programming: From the Beginning
in your classroom. Click here
to read the review of Java Programming: From the Beginning
at AP Central. |
|
New! The
jpb package (used by many of the programs in Java
Programming: From the Beginning) is now available via the
JJ system. JJ is an online interactive Java educational environment
that you can use with any browser. To give JJ a try, just visit
www.PublicStaticVoidMain.com. |
Reviews on the Web
|
Source |
Excerpt |
Amazon.com
(Richard Dragan) |
"... puts basic Java development and
object-oriented design into the hands of any computer-literate
reader. ... one of the more accessible and well-presented introductions
to Java available today. ... the book's effective presentation
style is arguably its major strength. ... The colloquial and
friendly writing style presents the essentials of Java without
ever getting bogged down in theory. ... an excellent home-study
choice for the reader who appreciates a patient and thorough
teaching style." (Click here
to read the full review.) |
DevX.com
(John Zukowski) |
"... makes a good effort to keep the
new programmer's attention. If you are looking for a self-study
guide to help you learn how to program, and want to learn Java
as your first language, Java Programming: From the Beginning
is a nice jump-start into Java. University students will also
be served well with this as the text book for their first computer
science class." (Click here
to read the full review.) |
JavaRanch.com
(Jane Griscti) |
"... there are so many things I liked
about this book: the content is well organized, with each chapter
building on its predecessors; new concepts are introduced clearly
and concisely; good programming practices are emphasized throughout;
alternative idioms are explained as well as why one is preferred
over another; case studies illustrate the application of concepts;
common errors are identified. ... In summary, if you are new
to both programming and Java, this book will start you off well
provisioned on your journey ..." (Click here
to read the full review.) |
AP
Central
(Steve Kass) |
"This is an excellent text that wisely
does not try to do everything. What it does do, and well, is
lay the foundation for good programming through excellent, engaging
examples and some of the clearest writing you'll find anywhere.
... [The book has a] strong sense of organization and direction
and [provides a] thorough treatment of its essential topics.
... A student who completes this book will be in an excellent
position to continue studying Java, learn to write applets or
use Swing, and learn another object-oriented programming language."
(Click here
to read the full review.) |
Published Reviews
|
Source |
Excerpt |
Computing Reviews
(November 2000) |
"While this Java textbook is intended
to support a college course, it is comprehensive enough to be
used by all Java programmers. ... covers all aspects of Java
programming in depth... all of the topics are clearly presented,
with many good sample programs and applications. ... I recommend
this large, useful book as the textbook if you want to
learn Java. It is also a good reference." |
ACM SIGSOFT
Software Engineering Notes
(January 2001) |
"... an excellent introduction to Object
Oriented concepts and planning. ... if you program for a living
then this book is a must have. ... For a first edition it is
almost flawless. ... The book is easy to read, concepts are clearly
presented and there are enough glimpses behind the scenes ...
along with tips and other insights to keep you interested from
beginning to end. ... the book flows well, new ideas are introduced
at a logical point where they make sense... An excellent book
and one that I will keep in easy reach on my shelf." |
Choice
(March 2001) |
"... a very good, detailed tutorial...
full of explanations and examples... a good resource for beginners.
... introduces object-oriented programming concepts early and
presents design tips that provide good advice about how to design
Java classes..." |
Here's what Professor Manuel E. Bermudez
(University of Florida) had to say:
|
"In most reviews I do, by the time I'm
through the second chapter, I'm exasperated and annoyed at the
'core dump' nature of the writing. Not so with King.... What
I liked most about the book is the fact that it flows. Sections
each lead naturally into the next, which is a strength of King's
writing style.... Overall, King's spiral approach is very effective,
and I think it provides as good a solution as any I know to the
vexing problem of how much object orientation to introduce, before
filling in the fact that within each method in the OO approach,
we are practicing the imperative paradigm of programming. That
one issue probably marks the most important contribution of this
book." |
Still not sure if Java Programming:
From the Beginning is the right book for you? Read these
comments by instructors and readers.
Features
- Early coverage of objects
- "Spiral approach"—introducing
new material gradually, as needed
- Nearly 400 review questions and 200 exercises
- Over 130 programming projects
- In-depth case studies, to help students
develop problem-solving skills
- Ample reference material, including detailed
coverage of the major API classes
Information about the Book
Classroom Use
Downloads
Java Programming: From the Beginning can be used with the Java Development Kit or with
any integrated development environment, such as Borland's JBuilder
Foundation.
Questions? Please email
me.
 Published by
W. W. Norton & Company
|
