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.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 257 Ratings

Head First Java 2nd Edition Review - 2010-02-03
Reviewer Rating:
I am using this book as part of a graduate-level beginning Java course. This book is both a fun and easy read, guiding you through the fundamentals of the language at a pace you don't even realize until you're done with a chapter. I have taken Java before, so it made the book even easier for me than it would be for most newbies, but it's still highly accessible for anyone with a basic programming background. I like doing puzzles, so the challenges they put at the end of each chapter, and within the chapters, were awesome! One tip: read the Intro section of the book--it lets you understand the approach the book takes a lot better, including that you can enjoy the experience!

Excellent...Almost as good as the Hype - 2010-01-19
Reviewer Rating:
This book is almost as good as the hype. It's perfect for learning Java, especially if you have a bit of a programming background. Java for Dummies is better if you have NO programming or Java experience. If you've taken an entry level college programming course, this book is perfect. Some of the examples I still think got a little convoluted, but only a few. Recommended.

Good, but not as a reference - 2010-01-04
Reviewer Rating:
I'm new to Java, but ancient in the world of programming (30 years of experience). When I am able to find a topic that I need to check on, this book gives a pretty good explanation of that topic. But finding the topic is a major problem. The index is ridiculously short for a book of over 680 pages. Most of the terms I need to look at (I am examining Java code written by experts and trying to figure out what it all means so that some day, maybe I will be able to write some myself) aren't in the index. As easy as it is with today's word processors to automatically generate an index, there is no excuse for having such an incomplete index. A second, associated, gripe I have is that there isn't an electronic copy (preferably PDF) of the book on a CD. Then I could do my term search using Acrobat Reader and not have to worry about the incomplete index provided. But, no CD with this book. I will probably go back to the Dietel and Dietel book as my reference.

Wonderful primer on the basics of Java - 2009-12-13
Reviewer Rating:
I'm a fairly well versed programmer in some of the older style languages like C and C++. If you have some archaic C question, I may be your woman. I'm not so familiar with Java - in fact the last time I touched the language I could run to the local coffee shop, get a coffee, and get back to my program and it would just be starting up (back in the dark days, when java was really slow). Fast forward 12 years and not only is Java nimble and performant, but its something I need to know. Yesterday. Knowing this, I turned to the Head first series as they get their points across quickly and cleanly.

Head First really does teach the topics so that you'll remember them. Most into programming books give you an example and you work through it. In Head First, yes there is an example, but the examinations happen via stories, diagrams, pictures, games and really good (bad) humor. What this means is that no matter how you learn, you'll find something that helps the concepts stick. Each chapter builds upon the last and each chapter reinforces lessons from before. You can tell that people who really know how to teach designed these books.

Now this book is basic. I personally didn't mind reading about Objects and Object-Oriented design yet again. I also didn't mind reading about polymorphism, encapsulation, et al. The main reason for this is the presentation. Well that and there are a few subtle differences between C++ and Java that they talk about that I need to know. But mostly its the fun way they present the topics. I mean even if you know these topics cold, I still found some of their examples and comparisons well thought out and memorable. So much so in fact that I can see using them to help explain concepts to people I'll mentor or to marketing folks.

If, however, you have programmed in Java before and are comfortable in the world of OO, and are looking for something to take you to the next step, I'd suggest you keep moving onto other books (Effective Java by Bloch is amazing). However, if you are new to Java, and even new to programming, you'll love the Head First books. The writing is clear and engaging (and correct!), the examples make sense, and way they tailor lessons to trigger different parts of your learning brain is really well done.

The most compreensive learning book on Java - 2010-02-07
Reviewer Rating:
When I first head of Java, I became very interested in the programming language and started looking for good books and resources to learn it, I tell you, it was a hard road, but I finally found Head First Java.

The book consider you're a beginner on programming and want to learn Java, if that's your case, go ahead, there's no better book to do it.

It starts with very basic concepts of objects, structured programming going to methods, API, classes, interfaces, inheritance, polymorphism and advanced concepts like RMI(Remote Method Invocation), Threads and sockets. But what's best: It covers these topics in a very friendly way, don't expect this book to be that thick books with text only, no, almost every page got a picture to illustrate what they're trying to explain and they know what they're doing, author Kathy Sierra has good knowledge of meta cognition, that is, she knows how the brain "learn".

The negative point could be that it doesn't cover databases and some topics are covered superficially, but I think with the basic knowledge of that concept, you can learn the rest yourself.

A great book, very recommended! 5 Stars, no doubt.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Programming

Sub-Categories:
Programming > Java