12 replies to this topic

[Tipitman]

Hi all, im looking into starting java as my first language as next year I will be off to uni and proberly at liverpool too do computer science and the first module is java so I want to get some knownolage before I go, as I have always wanted to learn a language and it would seem clever to do java as it wil be at uni. So could anyone recomend a book for someone who hasnt really done any programming before. Thanks

[l0ph0nis]

Hello, if you don't mind reading stuff online I would recommend the Tutorial from Sun.
hxxp://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/

[KingKrool]

SCJP certification books, by Khalid Mughal and the other by Cathy Sierra are good resources for conceptual knowledge...Anyways if u want to ig it more practically go for Core Java by Sun microsystems.

[hugopnr]

Because Java is your first language I advise you get a copy of Deitels "Java How to Program", It will probably be your course material as well.

also try what thiefgarret said, Sun Java Tutorial is the leading free source on the net ...

[bratax]

Because Java is your first language I advise you get a copy of Deitels "Java How to Program", It will probably be your course material as well.

also try what thiefgarret said, Sun Java Tutorial is the leading free source on the net ...

I agree with hugopnr.. "Java How to Program" by "Deitel & Deitel" (which seems to be called "Deitel & Associates" now) is really a recommendation

[Tipitman]

Hi all thanks for the recomendations, at the moment I have started learning java from Sams Java in 21 days, it is good Im learning concepts and the building of classes at the moment.

[Kaiba]

I recommened tutorials and documented labs.
If you used to watch the applet then know the code that makes it work
this will be more effective.......
try projects on planetsourcecode
search for java applets they're really helpful.

[Dillinja]

I recommened tutorials and documented labs.
If you used to watch the applet then know the code that makes it work
this will be more effective.......
try projects on planetsourcecode
search for java applets they're really helpful.

I think he's probably graduated at this stage!

[sarkar112]

Teach Yourself Java in 21 Days.

I'd definately recommend Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies to start out with, since it's your first language. Sam's is great, AP computer science preparation guides are great too, like Barron's AP Computer Science 2008 . Head First Java is good too, and The Java Tutorial is pretty good if you have enough time on your hands. Skimming the API specification after you understand the structure of the language also wouldn't be a bad idea.

[HLA91]

I would recommend Getting Started in Java it is a small and cheap book (perfect for a student like me) but it teaches you all the basics of the language and even goes into Swing, I also read the Java tutorials which taught me the more advanced parts. But go to a major book store like Borders and read some of the Java books they have then you can choose the one that best suits you.

[Blood Red]

I found Head First Java a very good learners book.