Java How to Program (6th Edition) (How to Program (Deitel))

Rating:
Summary: You get what you pay for...
Review: I think I have bought just about every 'learning Java' book out there, with limited exuberunce, until this book. The advantage this text has over others is to successfully 'weave' the learning of Java as the chapters progress. Other texts do accomplish this to some extent, but I've never seen this achieved to this degree of balance. This book is a heads down, hands on learning device.

Many books provide a single example that gets more and more complex as the chapters, and (hopefully) your skills, progress. Deitel certainly does this (via an Elevator simulation), but also accomplishes this on many different levels with plenty of smaller programs. Each example is explained *line by line* without exception. Additionally, you are provided with example program output right on the page.

I've noticed many 'learning Java' books show you code snippets and little output if any (e.g. Eckel's book, which I love for other reasons), leaving it up to your imagination to put it all together in the context of a complete program.

This text appears to be prepared for the classroom, from its thorough content (25 chapters, 7 appendices, 1400+ pages, cdrom) and available lab and instructor companion books. There is a nice, effective use of color without being distractive like some other texts I've seen.

The negatives are the length, cost and (ouch) the weight. It is one of the heavier books in my collection, for sure!

To summarize, if you are a C programmer looking to quickly jump into Java, or perhaps a genius with a photographic memory, this may not be your first purchase. If you are a newbie, have limited experience with Java, or have been disappointed with other texts, I think you may find this to be the most complete book out there.

Rating:
Summary: Raised my Stress Level
Review: I took a Java course in the summer of 2003 to prepare for a course I took during the second semester of 2003-2004. I understood it fine using different documentation.
The course I took in school required me to use the Deitel book. The book is written in absolute nonsense langauge. It's very verbose and hard to understand. The book I had contained two chapter sixes and no five--it had to be sent back. By the time I got the new book I was so fed up with Java that I had explored other books. Unfortunately my instructor wanted to use this book, probably because it is so expensive. The disc included with the book contains the examples and a compiler, but the compiler doesn't work on a Macintosh, plus it is outdated. The book doesn't even have any good humor, which is essential for me in a good textbook. This is a new edition of the book, but I doubt much was changed. My school actually got rid of this book, probably because of my violent complaining and destruction of the book's cover (it's paperback and it will wear out quickly if you throw it against the wall all the time like I did--and believe me, you will want to).
If you need a Java book try Barry Burd's "for dummies" series. They are well-written and funny.

Rating:
Summary: Java 1.5 Enhancements
Review: Last semester, I used this book for a Java Programming class. I commend the Deitel and Deitel to be one of the first authors to cover the many features of Java 1.5. And, believe me there are numerous enhancements that were added to Java 1.5.

You do want a book that starts off with the enhancements as opposed to one that mentions them in an appendix as an afterthought.

The students seem to like the fact that the authors thoroughly explain every line of every example.




Rating:
Summary: Learn Java 2 (1.5) and learn to program
Review: Not only does this book teach the syntax and features of Java, it also teaches programming fundamentals. For example, there are chapters on arrays and control statements, but you're not left with just that information. Later chapters teach algorithms and ways to use what you've learned. Another thing I like is that this book begins with object oriented programming, instead of teaching procedural programming first. This way you learn the correct way to program Java from the beginning. At the end of each chapter you'll find numerous exercises to re-enforce what you've just learned. I found them interesting and extremely helpful in really furthering my understanding of Java and the nature of problem solving with programming. Many chapters also have optional GUI (Graphical User Interface) and software case studies at the end to start getting your feet wet in these more advanced, but important topics. Also, sprinkled throughout the text are programming tips that include, good programming practices, common programming errors, error prevention tips, look-and-feel observations (GUI), performance tips, portability tips, and software engineering observations. Another unusual thing about this book is the use of color. And while color isn't necessary, it's certainly welcome in a world of drab, gray programming books. Modern development environments make use of color syntax highlighting, so why shouldn't a programming book? Overall I'm very happy with the book. I found the code examples relevant and helpful. The topics begin at the absolute beginning and end with advanced topics such as writing Java applets, Java Server Pages, multi-threading, networking, accessing databases, and more. This one is going in my permanent collection.

Note: I would like to address the reviews that referenced the last (5th) edition. I have heard from students at my university that the last edition was very flawed. And a review here stated that he doubted much had changed. Well as someone who has read the 6th edition, I want to assure you, the potential buyer, that the flaws mentioned in the 5th edition were not carried over to this edition. I've read a lot of programming books and this is by far one of the best I've read to date.