Learning Java Through Applications: A Graphical Approach (Programming Series)

Publisher: Charles River Media
Number Of Pages: 672
Publication Date: 2005-07
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 1584503769
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9781584503767

Product Description:

Learning Java Through Applications emphasizes Java鈥檚 graphical capabilities and the ability to create graphical user interfaces. The book uses 15 complete Java programs in order of increasing complexity, including geometric patterns, games, puzzles, number theory problems, and cryptography, to teach students the Java programming language and concepts. New features of Java 5.0 are covered in detail, including enumerated types, “for-each” statements, generics, autoboxing, and static imports. Each chapter contains a capstone program that involves graphics and illustrates the language features introduced in that chapter. The specifications for the program are discussed first, followed by the code and its explanatory text emphasizing the programming techniques used. Because complete programs are included, programmers have the opportunity to explore the design choices involved. Additionally, UML diagrams are included when appropriate to help them understand the overall design of each example.

Key Features * Uses complete programs to teach Java concepts, including geometric patterns, games, puzzles, number theory, and cryptography to teach Java concepts * Covers the new features of Java 5.0, including enumerated types, “for-each” statements, generics, autoboxing, and static imports * Discusses important software engineering principles, such as the importance of reuse and consistent style * Includes a discussion of the design issues associated with each program and provides UML diagrams illustrating the design for the larger examples * Provides review questions covering the major concepts from each chapter and short programming exercises and more complete programming projects * Includes a CD-ROM with all the source code and fi gures from the book

ON THE CD (see Appendix C for more details) * SOURCE CODE - Includes all the source code from the projects in the book * FIGURES - Contains all the images used in the book SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WIN: Windows ME or higher; Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher or Mozilla 1.4 or higher; Pentium II Processor or greater; CD-ROM drive; Hard drive; Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 (J2SE 5.0)

Summary: One of the more fun ways to learn basic Java programming
Rating: 5

I have always been a fan of learning a programming language by constructing program applications. If done well so that each step is fully explained then it can be a very effective method. Even if the program is simple the fact that you can write it and get immediate results encourages you and helps you understand how it all works together. This book takes that approach and teaches Java through the writing of various small applications. The author includes a CD-Rom with all the code from the book so you don’t have to type it in line by line to start using it. The book does a good job of starting from the beginning and assuming no prior knowledge of programming or Java. Although it is a fairly thorough introduction to Java it takes a gradual approach with the reader learning a piece, seeing what it does, and then moving on to the next piece. Learning Java Through Applications is highly recommended as an excellent choice for the person completely new to Java.

Summary: Good Way To Get Introduced to Java
Rating: 5

This is described as a beginning to intermediate book on programming in Java, it’s probably a bit more beginning than intermediate. It is intended for both self study and for formal classroom use.

Java is increasingly be used as the first language to be studied. It is not only a powerful language in its own right, but has the ability to quickly and easily put graphics on the screen without the work necessary to create separate windows. The browser handles this part allowing the program to do it’s own thing.

One thing I particularly like about this book is its treatment of objects. So many Java books start talking about objects in the first page or two, stringing together a bunch of words that absolutely no meaning to the beginning student. After this, the word object tends to not be mentioned for a hundred pages or more, by which time the student has completely forgotten the description. This book takes a more incremental approach. It starts with simple applets, increasing the size and complexity as the student progresses through the chapters. Objects com in at chapter 5, about the same place as in the other books, but having skipped those first confusing words.

The CD-ROM is designed to be used with Windows (sorry Mac Folk). It contains the source for every program in the book, as well as all of the figures used.

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