Graphic Java 1.1: Mastering the AWT

Rating:
Summary: This is the best 1.1 compliant, AWT reference around!
Review: Graphic Java 1.1: Mastering the AWT is the best book that I've come accross, so far, for AWT programming. The book is a little advanced, new Java programmers may find this to be a little difficult. However, at the same time, the book also clearly teaches the new 1.1 event handling model. This is an excellent book for anyone who needs to do Windows programming with Java.

Rating:
Summary: not the in-depth tome that I expected
Review: Having read the reviews, I expected a lot of deep information. I was mistaken. It is not a bad book, but if it stands out, it is mostly because the majority of Java authors figure that publishing a poorly documented API is adequate. I'd call this an intermediate level book.

It lacks a permuted index, which is a must for a book like this. A lot of the nitty-gritty information is presented as an aside to demonstrating the examples instead of a well thoughout discussion. Some of these are in the index and some are not.

If you're looking for thorough discussions of the AWT architecture, keep looking. If you're looking for a good discussion of how to use layouts, this might be the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, if you're good too
Review: It helped quite a bit, but the book will get deep quick with not a lot of explanation of how it got there. Yes I have it, read it and like it.

Rating:
Summary: not the in-depth tome that I expected
Review: There are very many sorry Java books on the market these days. Therefore, I was very glad to discover "Graphic Java", 2nd edition. I found it to be a thorough guide to the AWT. In addition, it is accurate throughout, whereas many books fail to properly explain and use the new event model or other features of JDK 1.1.

The book covers every aspect of the AWT, including events, containers vs components, layout managers, lightweight components, etc. Each discussion is peppered with effective examples that clarify the topic at hand. And, along the way, the authors point out good coding tips, such as the effective use of inner classes for event handling, proper object-oriented design, etc.

As if that all wasn't enough, the second half of the book presents a very useful library of custom components that extend the AWT. The source code for this library is on the CD, and the book explains much of the source in detail. This section is also very valuable in learning to understand the AWT.

In a world full of mediocre, inaccurate Java books, this one is a JOY to read