Looking for a Java book..

I just want to ask what Java book you guys recommend me for school. Actually I want to buy two, one in a beginner/intermediate level (this one is for learning the language and all the object-oriented stuff) and another one in a more advanced level(so,when I learned the language, I will use this one for more advanced stuff).

1) A beginner/intermediate book
2) An advanced book

Any ideas will be welcome..

I know C,C++ and Visual Basic, so I have a little background of programming and I will buy the books from amazon.com because they have international orders.

Thanks,
Su Majestad from Mexico.

I forget the title, but the Java book by Dietel and Dietel is excellent. As for advanced topics in Java, I can't really help you there, but Sun's website has some really good documentation and tutorials if you're willing to search for them.

1) Core Java 2 Volume 1
2) Core Java 2 Volume 2

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Originally posted by EverlastingGod
1) Core Java 2 Volume 1
2) Core Java 2 Volume 2

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Ditto. I've gotten my $$ worth out of these books over and over again.

the books malone are talking about are the JAVA: How to Program. I have the fourth edition and have just started to learn JAVA myself. I would recommend it.

The Deitel book might be too "easy" if he knows C++

I havent finished it yet, but so far I'd have to give a vote for Head First Java, i hate doing this because it sounds like im trying to sell it ;) but here's a user review from amazon.

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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...stomer-reviews

...[intro cut]

In the introduction the authors examine learning and explain why they designed the book as they did. To quote from one section: "Some of the Head First learning principles. Make it visual. Put the words within or near the graphics. Use a conversational and personalized style. Get the learner to think more deeply. Get-and keep-the reader's attention. Touch their emotions." They argue that our brain is tuned to novelty, and that their style provides the novelty to keep your brain turned on. They also provide ten tips for good learning. That's one thing that seems to set this book apart from most other computer books, they say they think of their reader as a learner and indeed that's the way you are treated by the book.

...

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So far thats right on the money, and ive found they're technical explanations more easy to understand than others.

Deitel and Deitel aren't bad. Pretty light intros into a lot of areas. Java in a Nutshell can help you sort through the various classes provided in Java too, not many detailed samples in that book, but a decent breakdown of the core classes listed in a heirarchical fashion.

The one you want to get for intermediate skills is Effective Java (published by Sun). It simply kicks ***. Two of the guys who were very much involved with the writing of the standards of java are quoted on the back as saying it's one book they could never do without.

You kind of have to know java before reading it. But it gives you tons of great practicle tips that make your java code proper and efficient. So many great tips in one simple source. Every java programmer should have a copy.

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Originally posted by Mancora
I havent finished it yet, but so far I'd have to give a vote for Head First Java

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I browsed through this book at the bookstore the other day. It certainly was different. I was hoping for a Head First C++ book, but it's not out yet. :(

I like the idea of the gimmicky pictures and bad jokes to make you remember, but I wonder if I'd get sick of it and want to cut to the real stuff?

In reply to the topic I recommend Thinking in Java by Bruce Eckel, if you want to realy "think in an object oriented way". I havent realy read the Java book, but what I've read of the C++ book is great. It includes a CD with an audio seminar on the C language, so you can brush up on your skills. :)

Edit: you can also check out the entire book online at http://www.mindview.net

I suggested the Core Java 2 Volumes cause they are good, part of Sun's Java series and most importantly (since the original poster knows them), have side notes that relate C++ and VB to Java.

Hey i reccommend just going to the libary or bookstore to browse through some books and see if you like any. The ones that are reccommended and arent reccommened might not be what your looking for so go check them out if their there first. The libary is an excellent soure of programming books i thought it was a joke when they told me but i checked it out and wow!

For a book i only had a background on html and some xml. I was gonna learn java and visual basic . net over the summer but didnt have time making my first comp!:D

I'm pretty sure that Java has nothing to do with java script but if your looking for a java script book i browsed through my cousins Java Script for the world wide web over the summer and got to learn alot esspecially my backgroud. They just have examples and how to do this or that but doesnt give you the background information though.

Good LUck on your book hunt;)

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Originally posted by naper2000
Hey i reccommend just going to the libary or bookstore to browse through some books and see if you like any. The ones that are reccommended and arent reccommened might not be what your looking for so go check them out if their there first. The libary is an excellent soure of programming books i thought it was a joke when they told me but i checked it out and wow!

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Your library might be different, but mine has mostly out of date books. Sure it's good for free, and there's always a couple newer ones if you can find 'em. Maybe I'm just too fussy.

The ones at mines was like mostly 3 years old but its no less than 5 most the time. But does it matter that its a little out of date? The old ones still have the basics and very important functions and scripts. Plus, its only there to check out the book and see if he should buy it at a bookstore heheh. To bad you cant do that at some bookstores because they wrap some of them in plastic!:(

Ha maybe you are a little to fussy!:D JK!:D its not too out of date though... but you maybe right it might be the libary...

Damn, wrapping the books in plastic sucks. I've never heard of it before. I've found a couple good books from the library, but I'm a little mad because I requested a book they supposedly had in stock, but it's been months and I have yet to see it there. :mad: