Michael Spitzer said
I got this book because of the good reviews, but I promptly returned it and got Head First Java, which is much more comprehensive. I got over the usual "for dummies" annoyances like the constant joking and the constant referrals to other chapters. What I couldn't get over was that this book did not go far enough. I know that it is for beginners, but this book really doesn't teach you very much at all. If it was to be a real beginner's book, maybe the author should have spent more time discussing HOW the code works and much less on the actual Java language. There also should be exercises to do on your own, and there aren't any at all. That would have offered the most value for beginner programmers.
In short, if you just want to read about programming, get this book. If you actually want to do some of it, this book isn't for you.
S. Greenlaw said
Java 6 has been out for years. If you want the lastest and greatest, get an updated version. Java 5 programs are still out there to be maintained. And learning with Java 5 ain't gonna hurt anybody. *** These "Dummy" books are wonderfully editted. Excellent quality for beginners. *** They also have an advanced book, but then the "Head First" series and real text books and the Sun microsystems online materials are much better. *** For your first programming book, perfect.
P. BELL said
I wish the textbook had more sample codes. It does a decent job of going over the basics of programming. Between this book and my textbook its making my intro to programming class better.
Samuel Weiss said
This is a great book for someone just starting out with programing, and wants to learn a quick introductory course in java. It will teach you the fundamentals in a way that even the newist beginner can understand.
Park Jong Bum said
I'm a computer scientist and taught my 11-year-old son with this book.
No difficulty was found and I decided to buy other "for Dummies" series for my son and myself.
--JB from ROK.
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