Beginning Java 2-JDK 1.3 Version

I bought this book because it got rave reviews right here on this site. I wasn't disappointed. It's excellent! Some techies can write books and some can't. This guy can. The explanations don't leave you in the dust, nor do they go to slow. It's jam packed with info, but your hand is always being held.I don't like all the math used in the examples--it clouds the issues, but everything else was great.

This book is an excellent tutorial text and reference. I was able to find example implementations of classes that were missing from other Java books. For example, GregorianCalendar, SimpleTimeZone, and java.text.Date were clearly explained, defined, and then implemented with good examples. These classes were missing from Deitel's Java How To Program (as was any other detail on how to use dates in Java that I could find) and from three other books I consulted.Why I enjoy this book is because Horton explains each aspect of the language well and then implements his examples as complete classes, not snippets that may or may not compile and run. Every example I've tried has compiled and run as expected. Not so for other books. Also, if there are lines of code which may not be easily understood, Horton goes through them, explaining why they are there and what they do. Every issue I've looked up in this book, either to learn from scratch or to reference something I already knew some details on, I've gotten complete information. That makes Horton and this book a real winner.

After searching several books that would teach java 2, I have concluded this is the best book I could find. Don't be fooled by the title "beginning java 2" This book is a whopping 1100 pages plus (and smaller than usual font). Covers Java Core, I/O Streams, util package, Threads, Basic to Intermediate Swing (graphics) and JDBC (database). It is well written with good explanations, Code Snip lets and "Diagrams!". The explanations are detailed which is great for novice programmers and useful for seasoned programmers moving from another language to Java when stuck with a concept. Seasoned non java programmers can read through the code snip-lets and grasp concepts through the numerous diagrams that explain key concepts easily. It is not a skim by the surface book leaving you with holes of thought nor is it a book that just covers elementary topics. The author goes from the elementary to intermediate level with good detail. It is not a quick reference. Well Done! Ivor Horton

Would that I had encountered Ivor Horton when I first sought to learn any programming! Beginning Java 2 (JDK 1.3 Edition) is a masterpiece. I have been able to stay on track working through one chapter per day doing the reading and the exercises. This has been a challenging effort but the reward has been substantial growth on a daily basis of my understanding and facility with Java.Because of its size (over 1200 pages), this is not the place for an absolute beginner to start. I would recommend Java for Students for those who are seeking an introduction to programming and Java at the same time. This is an excellent book if you have some orientation to programming, Java or not, and you want to develop a solid base in the language. The author notes in the Introduction that the word Beginner in the title reflects how much he assumes of the reader in his teaching style rather than anything about the skill level he is trying to develop in the reader. The book is thorough and does a good job of covering Java language, syntax, and the class libraries.I have been very pleased with how clear the explanations are and how useful the examples and exercises are for learning Java. Rather than just code fragments, the author tends to use code samples to illustrate the points that he makes. He encourages typing the samples in yourself and playing with the parameters to get a feel for what is going on. This results in having more confidence with the language while developing your understanding. In the course of a chapter I find myself keying in 6 to 8 code samples.I wonder if Ivor Horton began life as a mathematics professor. Many of the exercises involved calculating factorials, prime numbers, the volume of the Sun in cubic miles, etc. I have trouble working with these numbers on their own, let alone developing a computer program to calculate them. Thankfully, it is possible to follow the logic even with this unfamiliar material.Wrox Press offers a website that documents errata that has been found in the book. Rather than just site a line here and there, the errata section often provides a whole block of code with the corrections made. This makes it easier to find the changes. I have not found them to be troubling but I copied them into a Word document and printed that out so I can correct each chapter before I read it. Most amazingly, there is a Beginning Java email list associated with the book that is actively monitored by the author and a Wrox Press sysop. Readers report problems they are having with code or things they don't understand and other readers or the monitors provide ideas, suggestions, and answers. I have started a Lotus database to file things I am mining from the list so I can make use of them in the future. The list appears to be a place where both beginners and more advanced students can learn a lot. Each chapter tends to build on the chapter before it. It works best to work throug

As an experienced programmer, I've seen every angle attempted on beginner's books. Horton nails this one! From start to finish, Ivor will teach you the basics of Java and back them up with real world examples. Great book for beginners and experienced programmers alike!