Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies

by Barry Burd

Computers are so much a part of our daily lives that many of us take them for granted. You turn on your PC, connect to the Internet and check your stocks, your e-mail, or the weather report, write a note to Grandma, or relax for half an hour by shooting make-believe lasers at make-believe aliens. But if you ever wonder “how do they make a computer do that?” then you may be a candidate for Beginning Programming with Java™ For Dummies ® . If you’re ready to take the plunge into programming, Java is a wonderful place to start. You can write Java code for any operating system. A cool device called the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) will translate your code so it can be understood by your Windows system, your neighbor’s Mac, or your nerdy cousin’s Unix box.  Java is a good place to begin learning programming. And not only can programming be fun, it can also be a lucrative career. Author Barry Burd breaks down Java programming into fun and manageable bites – or bytes. He walks you through downloading and setting up the Java compiler, JVM, and Java API, and then away you go!  You’ll be able to Once you discover the joys of Java programming, you just might find you’re hooked. You’ll be able to make that machine do your bidding, at least some of the time. You may find yourself thinking of programming like a game of strategy, in which it’s up to you to find the secret passageway, decipher the magic words, and save the princess. Sound like fun?  Here’s the place to start.

Genres: Nonfiction, Programming, Technology, Computer Science, Reference, Computers, Coding

Paperback

First published May 9, 2003

Reviews

[Nathan Brodsky]

Great principles, PRETTY well described. Highly recommended, especially the first part and the principles.

[Sean R_C2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shares everything that you need to learn JAVA and create apps with GUI. This is more of a guidance book rather than a literature, and sometimes it gets really boring, other times it becomes interesting!!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helped me brush up on my Java/programming skills.

[Tim Jeffreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and Easy to Follow

Just what I wanted -- a solid walk-through of basic Java principles to and concepts to set the stage for more advanced topics.

[Mahmoud elhofy · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب كويس بس الترجمة سيئة للغاية ويعيب الكتاب استخدامه للغة liberaty basic بي باي حال فادني في فهم البرمجه الكائنية وامقدمة البرمجه كتنشيط

[Omar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very easy book on the basics of the Java language
I hope i can find more advanced topics in the other book i'm currently reading about it

[Nick R · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book on programming I ever read back in high school. Shared an email conversation with the author about a project I had written. It really ignited a flame in me.

[Amr Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I just had a quick overview of this book, because I haven't really needed too :)

For Dummies is a good intro-series of books in general, which covers a wide range of fields and topics.
Before joining university I used to go frequently to some public library where they had hundreds of "For Dummies" series.
I haven't really finished any of them til the end, because I used to get an overview and if I really was interested in a particular topic, I go and lend/get a specialized book in the same topic.

This public library was also lending 5 books at a time, for a period of 2 weeks, and renewable for one more time, even by phone if someone could not make it to the library.

After I joined university I was relying on university books themselves for technology knowledge.

[أحمد · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب رائع للمبتدئين

[Romanyonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Досить зрозуміла книга саме для повних початківців. Читається легко та цікаво. Лише останні глави складнуваті, але тим, хто почитає вивчати Джаву - дуже раджу!

[Daniel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for the 3rd edition

Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies is a great book to start to learn programming. I started with very very little experience with Java and programming in general but I did learn many things from this book. I learnt the basics of variables, how to create different functions and different things in the Java itself. Barry Burd tells you new information and then goes into depth with what each thing means, like the difference between long variables and short variables (Don't worry if you don't get this, you will if you read the book!) Sometimes you won't get somethings when you first read but if you read over it a few times you will start to get what he is saying. One downside of the book is that he sometimes skips over somethings that he hasn't previously stated but I think he did that so you can think on your own two feet. Overall this book is excellent to first learn programming from.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't 100% finish this book. I got it originally due to the need for me to learn Java, and it was okay for a while, but I found myself skimming. The concepts, while explained really well, were presented in a manner that I knew I would never remember. I didn't actually get to create much. I didn't get to learn by doing, by correcting, so on and so forth. I'm going to keep this book - it will be a great reference book definitely. It's good for looking up a concept, but as for reading it cover to cover to learn Java? No. It's not good for me.

So yes. If you're looking for reference, go for it. This is the book for you. If you're looking for hands on, step-by-step explanations on how to make things, look elsewhere.

[José Monico · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an absolute beginner that does not even have a firm, or non-existent grasp on compiling, or cmd familiarity, this is definitely the book for you. Learning a new language can be absolutely intimidating; and especially so when you are new to CS. The overall vibe I kept getting here was quite laid back. However, that was sometimes frustrating for me since there were times when certain technical techniques were pushed aside. Readers were told to simply implement, or execute certain code for its own sake. The comedic tone definitely put me at ease. And now I think I am ready for an actual Java textbook, and all its jargon goodness.

[Sutanto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just say GOOD for this book
{
Buku ini ngajarin kita tentang "Java Language Programming" tanpa IDE, kita hanya butuh "text editor", emang text editor bukan IDE? Pokonya baca dech, pasti PUSING (ho...ho..ho)
}

[Ted Shaffner]

wow. i am definitely not a computer programmer. that's what i learned from this book.

[Helen]

Combines introductory programming concepts with specific info re: Java. There is a 2012 version, also.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

out of date but still relevant and readable.

[Zaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Head First Java instead. Humorous but ... Well, it's just a better book.
For textbook/reference material, definitely look elsewhere.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay if you know nothing about programming. But if you do you should find another book. Or just go on youtube and watch Java for Beginners videos at 1.5x speed.

[Walter Straus]

Extremely useful and educational

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Low level content.
Partly inappropriate and outdated stuff.
Overuse of inline references.
Lack of internal code output.
Green author.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really easy to follow, tells you the basics and is good to keep as a reminder when needed.

[Mahmoud Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and a Simple book although the Fourth edition is outdated but it is still great for a beginner book to understand Java

[Paulr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did it job have me a jump start on my programming class

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book ONLY for very {basic} introduction to Java and Programming.

[Chelsea]

Not a bad book but I had to take it back to the library