Rating: 
Summary: Not a good choice
Review: As a Java instructor, I respect the author's attempt to create a Java Textbook; this is not a simple task. However, I must say that this particular text is NOT a good choice for use in an Introductory Java course. I found this book a very difficult read, as some other reviewers have also commented - statements are tedious and at times you get the impression that the authors real intent is to convey how eloquent he can formulate his statements rather than convey a clear understanding of the technical principles being described. I find myself constantly wishing he'd "get to the point". Java is all about Objects, yet OOP is only presented later in the text, and then as an after thought. I've seen this in other books too, where you get the impression the author is not comfortable with OOP and prefers to provide an explanation of classic procedural programming techniques, rather than embrassing and exploiting the benefits of OOP as provided with a langauge like Java. The student may come away with a basic understanding of Java syntax, but will not adequetly appreciate or understand the fundamental reasons we're using Java instead of COBOL, PASCAL, or BASIC - it isn't just becuase it's a cool language. The focus on Applets may be useful for grabing the initial interest of the student and learning "fun", but by ignoring the more important role of java applications is doing students a disservice. Applets today are taking a less significant role in web application developement with the use of .NET and JSP. There are many better choices: the Dietel books, Core Java, BlueJ.org, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: The best NewBee JAVA book
Review: Bilkent University,Turkey's number one ranked private university,has selected this book as first year undergraduate Java course book. It is so simple that even an idiot can understand the the given java concepts.
Rating:
Summary: From Simple to Complex Without Becoming Overwhelming!
Review: For several years I have been struggling with understanding programming. Networking training often references C or C++ or Visual Basic ideas to illustrate concepts as if everyone understands their basics. I have beat my head against a wall trying to follow along with texts on scripting and Active Server Pages because these books often assume familiarity with fundamental programming concepts. I even read SAMS Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours without learning enough to put everything together. And then I found Java for Students by Douglas Bell and Mike Parr. Java for Students is written for people with absolutely no prior knowledge of programming. Books often say things like this and then after the first chapter or two take off into the skies where it is impossible for many to follow. This book taught me to fly! Like many introductory books you write your first Java program inside the first 20 pages. And then the authors continue to provide example after example and more than 100 exercises that build progressively on the information presented until you really get the hang of programming in Java and understanding programming concepts - variables, calculations, methods, parameters, events, decisions, repetition, objects, classes, inheritance, arrays, string manipulation, exception handling, packages, abstract classes, interfaces, threads... My proudest moment was when I scanned through the Glossary at the very end of the book and really understood all the terms included. If you want to understand programming in general and Java specifically, this is a great place to start. These authors do an excellent job of presenting essential information in a simple fashion and then adding more details and complexity as you progress through the book. They presented code that illustrated concepts and syntax in early chapters that they added to in subsequent chapters to demonstrate additional features or problem solving methods. The result was an opportunity to develop confidence and familiarity without being overwhelmed with all the details at once. At the end of each chapter Bell and Parr included a Grammar Spot, Programming Pitfalls, New Language Elements, and a Summary. They did a good job of reinforcing important points. The authors teach in the UK and the book has a funny mixture of British and US influences. I was a little nervous when an exercise invited creating a program to calculate making change for a soft drink machine in British money but then they offered an overview of UK coins and a suggestion to work in the common denominator, pence. I did not find any difficulties following the discussions as an American. I noticed more editing problems in the last third of the book - missing words, mislabeled material. This was a little challenging but if you were following along closely you could understand what was meant. It was more disconcerting than anything else. The book refers to a website that provides the source code for all the examples and demonstrations of their running...I liked this book a lot. If you need to start with the basics I think you will too!
Rating:
Summary: From Simple to Complex Without Becoming Overwhelming!
Review: For several years I have been struggling with understanding programming. Networking training often references C or C++ or Visual Basic ideas to illustrate concepts as if everyone understands their basics. I have beat my head against a wall trying to follow along with texts on scripting and Active Server Pages because these books often assume familiarity with fundamental programming concepts. I even read SAMS Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours without learning enough to put everything together. And then I found Java for Students by Douglas Bell and Mike Parr. Java for Students is written for people with absolutely no prior knowledge of programming. Books often say things like this and then after the first chapter or two take off into the skies where it is impossible for many to follow. This book taught me to fly! Like many introductory books you write your first Java program inside the first 20 pages. And then the authors continue to provide example after example and more than 100 exercises that build progressively on the information presented until you really get the hang of programming in Java and understanding programming concepts - variables, calculations, methods, parameters, events, decisions, repetition, objects, classes, inheritance, arrays, string manipulation, exception handling, packages, abstract classes, interfaces, threads... My proudest moment was when I scanned through the Glossary at the very end of the book and really understood all the terms included. If you want to understand programming in general and Java specifically, this is a great place to start. These authors do an excellent job of presenting essential information in a simple fashion and then adding more details and complexity as you progress through the book. They presented code that illustrated concepts and syntax in early chapters that they added to in subsequent chapters to demonstrate additional features or problem solving methods. The result was an opportunity to develop confidence and familiarity without being overwhelmed with all the details at once. At the end of each chapter Bell and Parr included a Grammar Spot, Programming Pitfalls, New Language Elements, and a Summary. They did a good job of reinforcing important points. The authors teach in the UK and the book has a funny mixture of British and US influences. I was a little nervous when an exercise invited creating a program to calculate making change for a soft drink machine in British money but then they offered an overview of UK coins and a suggestion to work in the common denominator, pence. I did not find any difficulties following the discussions as an American. I noticed more editing problems in the last third of the book - missing words, mislabeled material. This was a little challenging but if you were following along closely you could understand what was meant. It was more disconcerting than anything else. The book refers to a website that provides the source code for all the examples and demonstrations of their running...I liked this book a lot. If you need to start with the basics I think you will too!
Rating:
Summary: A bad book for any novice!
Review: From my own experience I found trying to learn from this book an extremely difficult task especially being new to programming in general. I have spent more time flipping through other books trying to make sense of what these authors have written. If you are a novice to programming I suggest something with easier reading and better explanation of the topics such as Sams, Teach Yourself Java in 21 Days as suggested by the last review.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy the Dummies book - get this one
Review: I am not a programmer, but I work in the tech industry. I wanted to move into web development, so I had to learn Java. Unfortunately, I bought two other books before this one. This is very clear, very concise, and doesn't assume that you're already a C programmer! What's that about? This book is laid out and organized very well, and is very easy to read. Concepts are expanded on through the use of analogies, which makes them much easier to recall from memory. Excellent for people like me who didn't know what a compiler was and never programmed in ANY language. I love this book - thanks!!!
Rating:
Summary: Save money. Avoid tantrums.
Review: I am puzzled at the generally good reviews I see here for this book. I recommend that you instead buy "Java 2 in 21 Days". It costs less than half and is twice as well-written. It speaks plain English, and explains things on the spot instead of annoyingly putting them off for later. The only edge I could possibly see for "Students" is that there are more exercises. The main problem with the Bell/Parr book is that these two English university men have serious difficulties with English, and apparently can't get any help from their editors. Sentences whose meaning is effectively hidden in a subsidiary clause are their forte. Yes, just like the last sentence! From page 88: "The amount the value is changed if the area between the slider and the end of the range is clicked is 1." What they said: "... so don't be disappointed if you get some error messages. One of the standing jokes of programming is that error messages from compilers are often cryptic and unhelpful." What they meant: "Unfortunately, you can't expect much help from these messages. Most are so cryptic and unhelpful that they are a standing joke among programmers." Save money. Avoid tantrums caused by mangled English. Buy "21 days". No, I have no connection with "21 days", and paid full price for it. Al Gruber.
Rating:
Summary: java 1.2 for students
Review: I have more than eighty technical books in my home library, but my favorite is Java for Students. Aimed at beginning programmers, Java for students is a solid book that WILL teach you java programming. It sticks to the basics and is filled with very good, practical examples. By far, Java for Students is the best "learn to program" book that I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Helped overcome my frustration..
Review: I've been trying to teach myself programing for the last year and a half. I've tried several languages and a number of those "teach yourself in x hours/days" books. I've finished many of those books and re-read several of them as well. However, sit me down and solve a problem? --just couldn't do it. This book helped for a number of reasons: 1. It pretty much focuses on Applets. This helps by not bogging you down with two many libraries (which you encounter when you switch from applets to applications). You're able to deal with a few things alot and get really familiar with them. 2. It has a lot of examples at the end of each chapter to help you review and incorporate what you've learned. (Examples are related to skills you've just learned and do not incorporate new ones out of the blue). 3. It seemed the authors had considerable teaching experience. They really hammered on points that other authors just "blow" over...like "What is a constructor?", "How do you use the "this" keyword?".. 4. It stays concise within a smaller segment of Java. You deal primarily with the AWT, as opposed to Swing. 5. It uses examples that are easy to conceptualize. You don't have to mess with binary, hexadecimal, and octal numbers and use mathmatical formulas all the time--like you do in Beginning Java. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to build foundational skills and who needs to understand why they did something as much as how they did it.
Rating:
Summary: Helped overcome my frustration..
Review: I've been trying to teach myself programing for the last year and a half. I've tried several languages and a number of those "teach yourself in x hours/days" books. I've finished many of those books and re-read several of them as well. However, sit me down and solve a problem? --just couldn't do it. This book helped for a number of reasons: 1. It pretty much focuses on Applets. This helps by not bogging you down with two many libraries (which you encounter when you switch from applets to applications). You're able to deal with a few things alot and get really familiar with them. 2. It has a lot of examples at the end of each chapter to help you review and incorporate what you've learned. (Examples are related to skills you've just learned and do not incorporate new ones out of the blue). 3. It seemed the authors had considerable teaching experience. They really hammered on points that other authors just "blow" over...like "What is a constructor?", "How do you use the "this" keyword?".. 4. It stays concise within a smaller segment of Java. You deal primarily with the AWT, as opposed to Swing. 5. It uses examples that are easy to conceptualize. You don't have to mess with binary, hexadecimal, and octal numbers and use mathmatical formulas all the time--like you do in Beginning Java. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to build foundational skills and who needs to understand why they did something as much as how they did it.
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