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Head First Java, Second Edition

By Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates
Second Edition February 2005
Pages: 720 (More details)
(Average of 10 Customer Reviews)

Book description

Head First Java delivers a highly interactive, multi-sensory learning experience that lets new programmers pick up the fundamentals of the Java language quickly. Through mind-stretching exercises, memorable analogies, humorous pictures, and casual language, Head First Java encourages readers to think like a Java programmer. This revised second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java development platform.
Full Description

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study. The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge. That's how your brain knows. And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and it's effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever. If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read. By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.

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Book details

Title: Head First Java
Second Edition: February 2005
Series: Head First
ISBN 10: 0-596-00920-8
ISBN 13: 9780596009205
Pages: 720
Average Customer Reviews: (Based on 10 Reviews)

Featured customer reviews

How much fun is this book! Rating:
2006-08-24 11:43:11 SAM [Reply | View]
Learning new languages, although it shouldn't, has always intimidated me. This book makes learning a lot of fun; and, yes memorable. Koodos to the authors and the editors for such a fun and thorough work.

Wow! Rating:
2006-05-21 07:24:54 Jackster [Reply | View]
I've not read all that much of this book yet, but from what I've read so far all I can say is 'Wow'.

I've tried for ages to find a book or website which will help me learn to code, but so far once the book/website got past while loops I've fallen asleep, but not this book! Hopefully this will help me a lot with my IT classes next year, and my future IT career.

<3 Head First <3

Awsome, Funny, Engaging!! Rating:
2006-05-17 08:17:24 Lady800cc [Reply | View]
I purchased Head First Java as a complement to a required text in a Computer Programming I course. Now I am in the Computer Programming II course and this book continues to hold my hand through the concepts of Object Oriented Programming and the Java language. I'm not just recognizing mention of the concepts, I am really learning them. The layout of the book helps me to understand OOP in a way that I will not forget. I don't find myself having to go back and forth to the book because I forgot what I read a week ago. I can't get "Objectville" OUT of my mind! The examples are everyday scenarios that everyone can relate to, not just seasoned programmers. I also like the different sections, varied font types and "hand written" notes... nothing is left to the assumption that you get it the first time. Inheritance and polymorphism are broken down in such a way that my kids would not have a problem understanding. I have to say that the "Head First.." book series will be the first I will look for if I need other companion books in any other classes.

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It's Java Time Rating:
2006-02-16 06:52:05 Pablo Ganga [Reply | View]
I have read a tons of books, and I tell you this is the most fun and complete book of java that I ever seen.

it's irreverent, fun and complete.

if you like java as I am, you should read this.
and if you're learning this is the best way to learn.

Head First Java Rating:
2006-01-11 17:05:09 Roman [Reply | View]
If you would like to learn JAVA and you don't have much or any programing experiance this is the book for you.
I have been trying to learn java for a while now and every JAVA book i have brought(or JAVA tutorial form sun i have read) would either put you to sleep with in the first few chapter or it would load you up with so much information to the point you would not know what was going on.

I found that Head First has been writen in a nice readable style that does not put you to sleep actually teaches you some thing usefull appart from HelloWorld. Let's put it this way after reading this book i was able to start coding on my own. No other JAVA book or Java Sun Tutorial i have read has gotten me this far.

Heads First Java is first rate. Rating:
2006-01-02 11:03:21 Mickey Knight [Reply | View]
I bought this book while trying to understand polymorphism, it worked. My text at school was dry and had way to many words.
This book is great, I have found it funny, interesting and highly effective. I recomend it to any one who really want to get java. I did. It makes the dull textbook I have to use in class more understandable, because while I feel that the authors of both books understand java, head first understands learning (teaching).
I will be buying more books in the series.
Thanks.

head first java Rating:
2005-12-21 10:38:18 kkk [Reply | View]

Perfect for its purpose Rating:
2005-07-29 15:55:21 JavaMaster [Reply | View]
I have seen many people give various head first books negative reviews because they weren't "technical enought"

Umm, you're all stupid.

These books don't claim to be a technical breakdown of the underlying mechanics of java architecture, nor do they claim to be an api reference. If you can't figure out what these books are for, open up a chapter (all over this site) or, better yet, take a look at the index (not a whole lot there...).

What this book is for, is teaching java to people who know the name of the language and thats about it. When I was teaching myself java, I was surrounded by books that had pages and pages of stuff I couldn't understand. As someone who had never programmed before, telling me that such and such a feature was implemented in java almost in exactly the same way it is used in C++ doesn't help much. This book is great because, unlike any other book I have ever seen, it starts at level 0, and goes from there. I can't give give enough praise to a book that fills an educational void found in learning many difficult skills, especially java. If you want a reference text, go get someting else. If your tired of reference texts, get this.

Again, these books aren't devoid of information, they're structured for someone who doesnt know whats going on.

I will also say that as soon as I finished this book, I went out and got the api reference books published by sun-because, with the java I got from this I could find all those previously cryptic books useful, and that perhaps is the best description of what these books are-A bridge from nothing to there.

SO-if that bridge is what you're seeking, these books are a well structured, occasionally mildy amusing educational aid that will serve perfectly as that bridge.

:)

Innovative book format that works Rating:
2005-07-11 12:51:38 R Hudson [Reply | View]
When I first flipped through this book I saw that it wasn't your usual book, with lots of pictures and what looks like hand written scribbling in the margins -- it seemed almost disorganized and looked like it would be difficult to learn from.

But after reading the book while taking a few Computer Science classes, the book is an amazing teaching book and walks you step by step in learning Java. It seems to give you just the right amount of information, takes you to a certain point, then explains some caveats or adds a twist and teaches you more. The examples and stories are excellent and are a great memory aid.

I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the language and also to others who know it but learned from a different book.

The only downside about this style is that it doesn't make a great reference book. The book does provide bullet points scattered through the chapters which help but once it is on the bookshelf these are hard to look up a second time.

Wonderful Rating:
2005-05-29 07:48:06 Tony Butler [Reply | View]
This book is brilliant. Covers basics up to some fairly advanced stuff in a clear and easy to understand manner. If you can't learn Java concepts from this book, you'll never learn Java.
I'm a 2nd Year Comp.Sci undergrad, and this is the
clearest textbook I have ever seen.
If you're a learner - buy it!
If you're intermediate level - buy it!
Not useful if you're an expert, but experts are unlucky in the fact that this book wasn't around when they you were learning.

Wonderful, wonderful book. Thank you Kathy and Bert.

Media reviews

"I’ve got to be honest– This is probably the easiest book review that I’ll write. The book is universally regarded when it comes to learning Java and getting past that SCJP (or SCJA) Exam. What’s not to like about it? A challenging topic like Java is broken down to little manageablke pieces of information with the occasional joke or two."
-- Regnard Kreisler C. Raquedan, Standard Web Standards

"There's something in Head First Java for everyone. Visual learners, kinesthetic learners, everyone can learn from this book. Visual aids make things easier to remember, and the book is written in a very accessible style—very different from most Java manuals…Head First Java is a valuable book. I can see the Head First books used in the classroom, whether in high schools or adult ed classes. And I will definitely be referring back to this book, and referring others to it as well."
--Warren Kelly, Blogcritics.org, March 2006

"Another nice thing about Head First Java, 2nd Edition is that it whets the appetite for more. With later coverage of more advanced topics such as Swing and RMI, you just can't wait to dive into those APIs and code that flawless, 100000-line program on java.net that will bring you fame and venture-capital fortune. There's also a great deal of material, and even some best practices, on networking and threads—my own weak spot. In this case, I couldn't help but crack up a little when the authors use a 1950s telephone operator—yeah, you got it, that lady with a beehive hairdo that manually hooks in patch lines—as an analogy for TCP/IP ports... you really should go to the bookstore and thumb through Head First Java, 2nd Edition. Even if you already know Java, you may pick up a thing or two. And if not, just thumbing through the pages is a great deal of fun."
--Robert Eckstein, Java.sun.com, April 2005

"Of course it's not the range of material that makes this book stand out, it's the style and approach. This book is about as far removed from a computer science textbook or technical manual as you can get. The use of cartoons, quizzes, fridge magnets (yep, fridge magnets …). And, in place of the usual kind of reader exercises, you are asked to pretend to be the compiler and compile the code, or perhaps to piece some code together by filling in the blanks or … you get the picture... The first edition of this book was one of our recommended titles for those new to Java and objects. This new edition doesn't disappoint and rightfully steps into the shoes of its predecessor. If you are one of those people who falls asleep with a traditional computer book then this one is likely to keep you awake and learning."
--TechBookReport.com, June 2005

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