Product Description

This best-selling text by Lewis and Loftus provides an introduction to both the Java programming language and the techniques for writing high-quality programs. This book provides an object-oriented approach that naturally progresses in a way that beginning programmers easily understand by first using objects, then writing clases. The book is also known for providing an introduction to programming practices that leads to well-designed software solutions. The use of graphical user interfaces and event processing is covered in optional, self-contained Graphics Track sections at the end of each chapter. This book also comes with Addison-Wesley's CodeMate. This online program competency builder transforms a student's reading experience into a dynamic programming environment with a click of a mouse. CodeMate allows students to view, compile, run, and edit programming problems directly from the textbook without installing a compiler.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #646599 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 960 pages

From the Back Cover

This book takes an early object oriented approach to Java Embracing Java 5.0 topics, including the new standard Scanner class for simplified keyboard input and parsing, enumerated types, autoboxing, variable length parameter lists, the enhanced for loop, and generic types. This new edition has an earlier evolution of object concepts, developed in a way that capitalizes on the power of objects without overwhelming beginning programmers. It includes all new Java 5 topics, including Scanner class, enumerated types, autoboxing, variable length parameter lists, the enhanced for loop, and generic types. This is in depth coverage on GUI applications. This book is appropriate for beginning programmers who want to learn to program with Java as well as experienced programmers who want to add Java to their skill-set.

Customer Reviews

Great textbook for learning Java
This book is the core textbook for a computer programming class that I am taking and it is definitely one of the best textbooks I have read. The ideas are presented in a very clear, simple and easy to digest way, and the high quality graphics also make the material easy to absorb visually. It seems like the whole focus of the authors is to make sure the reader learns and understands Java.

I did read two other introduction to Java books that cost less and got strong reviews. However, they were not nearly as effective. If you truly want to learn Java and have some fun in the process, I highly recommend this book.

Quite very simple
It has a pretty good presentation, with all the colour and everything. However, I seriously think this book is too simple. It is meant for the absolute beginner to programming, with plenty of examples for a good foundation.

With some programming experience under my belt, I found the first few chapters agonisingly slow. It does a decent job of describing the Java language fundamentals, however, and I especially liked the appendix with the Java class libraries. Other books often lack this and sometimes when a code segment in the text refers to some class, and I desperately want to know more about it, I have to open my browser and read the API specifications, which can be quite annoying.

All that said, remember that when they say foundations of program design, they mean FOUNDATIONS, as in the very basics.

Excellent Start for Programming and Java
If you are looking for an excellent start in programming or Java this is an excellent choice. I had it for two Fundamentals of Computing classes at Simpson College and I am seriously impressed by its treatment of Computer Science and programming in Java. It has excellent layout and was extrememly easy to grasp the concepts. I like its appraoch to text in how it uses colors and graphics that I think ALL, and I mean ALL, authors and publishers should consider before they are made obsolete by the Interent. Most excellent book!