Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly bad, terrible format
Review: I like the "Dummies" series since it has helped me pass the GRE and learn HTML. However, I was incredibly frustrated with this book. I am so surprised that they published a book with so many errors. For example, the "Hello World" program had quite a few errors and for some reason appeared 3 times on the same page!The worst part was the flow and format. I had to start on chapter 8 and begin reading backwards to understand the concepts introduced, but even then things were not explained clearly. Its very rare when I give a bad review, but this one deserves 1 star just because of the numerous errors. To tell you the truth, I returned it the following day after buying it and haven't done Java since.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly bad, terrible format
Review: I like the "Dummies" series since it has helped me pass the GRE and learn HTML. However, I was incredibly frustrated with this book. I am so surprised that they published a book with so many errors. For example, the "Hello World" program had quite a few errors and for some reason appeared 3 times on the same page! The worst part was the flow and format. I had to start on chapter 8 and begin reading backwards to understand the concepts introduced, but even then things were not explained clearly. Its very rare when I give a bad review, but this one deserves 1 star just because of the numerous errors. To tell you the truth, I returned it the following day after buying it and haven't done Java since.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly bad, terrible format
Review: I like the "Dummies" series since it has helped me pass the GRE and learn HTML. However, I was incredibly frustrated with this book. I am so surprised that they published a book with so many errors. For example, the "Hello World" program had quite a few errors and for some reason appeared 3 times on the same page! The worst part was the flow and format. I had to start on chapter 8 and begin reading backwards to understand the concepts introduced, but even then things were not explained clearly. Its very rare when I give a bad review, but this one deserves 1 star just because of the numerous errors. To tell you the truth, I returned it the following day after buying it and haven't done Java since.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written - not sure who this book is for.
Review: I've been in programming for a number of years, and although I have not worked with C/C++, I do have a moderate understanding of OOP. This book moves along from 1 subject area to the next so fast, it never really teaches you anything. I decided to throw the book away after getting to page 142, when it started talking in ambiguities about new subject matter. Ch 2 is okay with its 'Hello World' intro. Beyond that, it doesn't have a lot to offer for any level of programmer, from beginner to advanced.
Rating: 
Summary: A first for me
Review: I've never been able to read a book and learn. I've always had to goto a class and pay a lot of money to have someone teach me. For me, just reading a book doesnt help, until I starting reading this book. I've read the previous reviews and quite shocked at some of the responses, especially about the "not finding what I was looking for until the page 130". I thought 'Dummies' books were to start from the basic and work from there. I thought they were suppose to teach you as if you didnt know anything about the language. This book does that. It's the only book I've been able to read without yawning in boredom and getting next to nothing out of it. I'm very impressed with Java and I think David Koosis did an excellent job with this book, especially for someone who doesnt know much about Java programming. -Greg
Rating:
Summary: For the beginner: Really Bad!
Review: If this text has been designed with Dummies in mind, then I must be a complete Moron. Chapters 1-4: no problem. Chapter 5: WHOOAAA! What the hey? This Mathematics graduate is off to seek out Java Programming for Boneheads.
Rating:
Summary: You Won't Find Out From This Book
Review: If you don't know how to program and you don't know Java, don't buy this book. Even though it says it's for "dummies" and explicitly says you don't have to be a programmer to use it, you do. The authors very clearly show you how to write the code, and then tell you it must be compiled. But they don't tell you how to compile it. I've combed the book, the appendix, the text covering what's on the CD-ROM, and the readme material on the CD-ROM. Nothing. Worse, I shelled out for the book as half of the two-volume Java 2 Toolkit for Dummies set. The simpler book, Java for Dummies, doesn't explain compiling, either, because it isn't about programming, but I checked. Java Programming for Dummies - 3rd edition, no less - says in its introduction that it's for people who "know a bit of HTML" and "may have written some macros." I can build an HTML page and I can record and alter MS Office macros, but I haven't a clue about how to compile code. A 90-day version of a Java writing-and-editing program called JBuilder is on the CD-ROM, but I've seen JBuilder, and it isn't simple to learn, particularly if you only have help files from the CD-ROM to consult. Besides, you shouldn't have to learn how to use a software program before you can begin to use a beginners book. I can't DO anything now, except go buy another book that actually explains how to write and use a Java program. The book also suffers from sloppy copy editing, usually just an annoyance, but in a beginners' book, a hazard. For example, it refers to Appendix A for instructions about the CD-ROM. There is no Appendix A. If you don't think that's a problem, remember what a snipe hunt is like for the victim.
Rating: 
Summary: really good intro book for programming in java
Review: If you're a newbie programmer and want to learn Java and object-oriented programming concepts, this book will get you started! Solid but fun.
Rating:
Summary: not a good book at all
Review: it does not help a beginner
it does not help a mediocre programmer
it does not help an advanced programmer
so, there, I said my peace
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time and money
Review: It wasn't worth my time and money. I became a dummy just because I bought this book.
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