Twenty-First Century Javaman

Paul C. Anagnostopoulos

Nap, interrupted.
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Joined
Aug 3, 2001
Messages
19,141
Well folks, it's about time I learned Java, for reasons that may become apparent in a few years when the Nobel prize nominations roll around. Anyhoo, what's the absolute best book going on Java, for someone with extensive computer background (except in Java)?

~~ Paul
 
Back when I was learning Java 5 years ago, the sun java tutorial was a pretty decent source.

ETA: Might have been more than 5 years ago, but I don't think I can admit to myself any more. I'm getting old (Almost 30!).
 
I have no OOP background, but nearly 20 years of COBOL programming experience (and I was a darn good one, too!). I bought Thinking in Java bye Bruce Eckel and while it might be good for those with previous OOP experience, I didn't quite get it.

Actually, I'm at the point where I'm going to look at it again and see if the concepts sink in. It has been highly recommended by other people in the know, though.

Seeing as I'm now a COBOL dinosaur, are there any suggestions of something else I could study that is expected to be around a while? Thanks.
 
alfaniner said:
Actually, I'm at the point where I'm going to look at it again and see if the concepts sink in. It has been highly recommended by other people in the know, though.

Seeing as I'm now a COBOL dinosaur, are there any suggestions of something else I could study that is expected to be around a while? Thanks.
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I've just finished reading the new (Java 5) edition of Head First Java and also Head First Design Patterns, and I recommend both highly, if you want an in to OOP and Java. The former spends very little time on basic programming syntax (like conditionals and loops), and introduces OO stuff quite quickly. The latter is all about design patterns and OO principles in general, using Java.

I make these recommendations as someone who's been a computational chemist of some sort for about 5 years, and therefore tends to spend most of his time programming, but I am not a professional programmer, nor do I have any relevant qualifications, and I've only been using Java since January, so make of my recommendations what you will.

Paul - I expect an experienced programmer could pick up the Java way of doing things simply by browsing the Java Cookbook, and checking the relevant bits of the Java API documentation. As Java's just gone to Java 5.0, I don't know how many books are out that reflect the new additions to the language.
 
A friend of mine with good taste recommends the O'Reilly books on Java.

Well, he has pretty good taste. He likes perl. Feh.

~~ Paul
 
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos said:
A friend of mine with good taste recommends the O'Reilly books on Java.
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I was very disappointed with Learning Java, although it covers more ground than Headfirst Java. Then again, I don't suppose you'll be needing either.
 
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos said:
A friend of mine with good taste recommends the O'Reilly books on Java.

Well, he has pretty good taste. He likes perl. Feh.

~~ Paul
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I bought a couple of O'Reilly books which were meant as references for people who knew the basics. I wouldn't recommend them. This is probably the only reference you'll need once you figure out the syntax.

I unfortunatly don't have a good C++ to Java book, or whatever language you do your OOP programming in.
 
ManfredVonRichthoffen said:
I bought a couple of O'Reilly books which were meant as references for people who knew the basics. I wouldn't recommend them. This is probably the only reference you'll need once you figure out the syntax.
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... or even this for those who fear last year's news. ;)

You'll also need the patience of a mountain if you want to use any of the other of sun's Java-bundles.

I'll shorten the search for those things I have been using lately:

Java 2 Enterprise Edition for your servlet needs.

MIDP2.0 and CLDC 1.1 for your basic mobile programming. Both of these are hosted by OneMap, allthough sun probably have them hidden somewhere on their labyrinthine site.
 
If you like reading language reference manuals, the official Java Language Specification is good. Steele is one of the authors. I was just recently looking at my copy of his Common Lisp book, and guess whose name I noticed in the acknowledgements?

ETA: So which Nobel prize do you plan to win, anyway?
 
no book needed

I really don't think you need any book to learn Java. Just google "Java Tutorial". There are plenty of web sites that will go through the basics. Then, start coding. If you ever get stuck, go back to the web where, most likely, someone has a solution.
 
Paul, now that everybody posted a lot book recomendations, can we know why do you want to learn Java?
I am quite curious, why, a Lisp head like you, want to learn that cruel language? :)
 
Re: no book needed

elevatedsteve said:
I really don't think you need any book to learn Java. Just google "Java Tutorial". There are plenty of web sites that will go through the basics. Then, start coding. If you ever get stuck, go back to the web where, most likely, someone has a solution.
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It's still easier to read a book than a computer screen. This may change in a few years, I hear that LCDs will become thin, flexible, low power and very portable, that is, you could hold and use one just like you use a book. Till then, books it is.
 
Re: Re: no book needed

a_unique_person said:
It's still easier to read a book than a computer screen. This may change in a few years, I hear that LCDs will become thin, flexible, low power and very portable, that is, you could hold and use one just like you use a book. Till then, books it is.
Click to expand...

If you really want to you could always print out anything you don't want to read on a computer screen, but really, you can only program on the computer, so you are going to be spending a lot of time looking at the screen anyway. In fact, I believe that while you are programming is the best time to be learning how to. There is only so much you can pick up from reading a book. Most of what you will learn will be from actually trying it. Even in a book, much of what you will see will be exercises (things to do on a computer).

I agree that entertainment reading is still much better in book form, however I know some people with PDAs that would argue with that.
 
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos said:
Anyhoo, what's the absolute best book going on Java, for someone with extensive computer background (except in Java)?
Click to expand...

I found it easier to learn javascript first. Many would say I have this backwards, but it depends on what you already know of programming.
 
Twenty-First Century Javaman
~~ Paul [/B]
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Hey, a King Crimson fan.

Can't recommend a book though. I' m slowly degenerating to TPHB-level where my programmers could tell me anything without me knowing whether I'm beeing put on or not :D

Zee
 
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