Learn Java Now, [With CDROM]

This is really good book if you already know C++ and a little bit of OOP. The book explains the main ideas very well and uses good examples. Good for anyone who wants to learn to write applets in as short a time as possible. Knowledge of C++ is a must

If you want a good theoretical and philosophical introduction to Java, the "object oriented programming language," this book is a great choice. In addition to being sold at retail, this book is also packaged with the J++ system. You might think that the book that comes packaged with the software would be focused on explaining that specific software. On the contrary, "Learn Java Now" is focused on helping you understand the "larger vision" of Java and object oriented programming in general. It has very little to say about J++. I recommend "Learn Java Now" very highly. Even if you don't plan to use J++, consider buying this book retail. The concepts behind object oriented programming are difficult to grasp, but "Learn Java Now" makes them as clear as possible. The examples and illustrations - built around a metaphor of the family TV - are familiar and relevant. I found myself constantly having the "Ah ha!" reaction. "Ah ha! That's what encapsulation means!

This is the best book I have read on Java. However, it is geared entirely to the Microsoft J++ IDE. It is of little value for anyone using the JDK from Sun, or other Java IDE. NOTE the CD that comes with the book includes J++. Davis does an excellent job of covering the major programming issues involve

After finished reading this book in about 10 days, I was able to write some appletes. (I have over three years' C/C++ programming experiences) I am pretty happy about this book. However, this book is to provide you general idea about Java language and applete. Don't expect advanced stuffs here. Btw, when you buy MS VJ++, you can find this book in the same box

Davis' "Learn Java Now" is a good book for those who want to quickly get ramped up and writing Java applications and applets. While prior knowledge of C or C++ would of course be helpful, none is necessary, as Mr. Davis carefully explains everything from the "ground up" as he goes. The book is divided into two "units". The first shows you the necessary internals of Java and OO programming: Objects, classes, inheritance, exceptions, packages, and all the rest of the "stuff" you'll need to know to write what "goes on underneath" as you write text-based applications. The second unit builds on what the first unit teaches, and deals with Applets: events, multithreading, animation techniques, the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) and other neat things which would look great on a Web page. The book comes with a CD containing Microsoft's J++ 1.0 and IE 3.0. When necessary, David explains the "how-to's" of MS's environment. For those who prefer other Java development environments, such as Symantec's "Visual Cafe/Pro", the code is easily portable and I found that switching back and forth between Symantec's and MS's dev envionments was easy. Personally, while I've hammered out a few simple MFC C++ programs in the past, I consider myself to be a "beginning" level C++ programmer. This book was very easy from the get-go. There are a few little typos to deal with here and there, and the worst problem I found was that, despite what the book seems to suggest, changes from one revision of code to the next are _NOT_ highlighted in bold, making things a little difficult to track at times. -Dan Neuwirth