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Head First Series
Head First Java
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.
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.
688 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
December 13, 2009
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.
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.
July 2, 2009
This book is much more than a book about programming Java. The beginning section really changed my perspective on learning. It goes into how people learn, how to make things stick in your mind and basically make something like learning computer programming actually fun.
The gist is basically if your mind is bored its not going to remember much. Feelings, in this case humor or non-sequitors, are what create memories and of course analyzing from different points of view helps. There were many times in this book that I felt the principles they were teaching about programming could apply to many things in life.
The gist is basically if your mind is bored its not going to remember much. Feelings, in this case humor or non-sequitors, are what create memories and of course analyzing from different points of view helps. There were many times in this book that I felt the principles they were teaching about programming could apply to many things in life.
February 9, 2012
As expected from Head First series , another awesome book that serves as a great intro to the Java programming language. I could say honestly : this is one of the best technical books ever to read as an intro to Java .
The general approach of "Make-it-visual" applied by the book makes it very interesting to read , with all these illustrating drawing , graphic scenarios that makes it easy to understand yet explaining heavy concepts ; and getting away from the traditional academic boring style , the book feels like a joke : slight and funny , and never been that interested nor enthusiastic to read a technical book before.
The book is great , although some points should be taken into consideration .
The last couple of chapters (deployment & distribute computing)concepts were explained in a hurry ;in order to get most of the concepts covered in a small size , which I believe could get bigger and better if the first relatively long chapters were shortened ; to increase the content of more important chapters like the mentioned above.
The I/O chapter was nice , yet not sufficient , and I think it would be perfectly understood with the guidance of Sun's I/O intro tutorials.
The "collection" part was really good , although it focused mainly on the hierarchy of the collection interface & comparable/comparator concepts , but ignored some important concepts like stacks and vectors. also I think that the exercises at the end of the chapter had some syntax and logical mistakes.
On the other hand , I really enjoyed every part in the Sockets part along with the Threads , with the general feeling of "Its weirdly easy to understand these concepts" . The networking part was awesome , which pointed to the powerfulness of Java's networking and remote classes.
The GUI part was explained perfectly with all listener classes .
The most important feature in this book was : develop your code using CMD tools ; which is way too important to get used to and understand before switching to your regular IDE , compiling, running and even deploying using cmd was a great approach .
The bottom line is : this is the best intro book to Java for those beginning their way to the JavaLand , where concepts are crystally clear , the complaints above could be easily related to the author's will of keeping the size of the book relatively small ,concentrated , and preventing it from looking like a universal phone-book , and honestly I had a great time reading this book and surely I would miss this book :)
The general approach of "Make-it-visual" applied by the book makes it very interesting to read , with all these illustrating drawing , graphic scenarios that makes it easy to understand yet explaining heavy concepts ; and getting away from the traditional academic boring style , the book feels like a joke : slight and funny , and never been that interested nor enthusiastic to read a technical book before.
The book is great , although some points should be taken into consideration .
The last couple of chapters (deployment & distribute computing)concepts were explained in a hurry ;in order to get most of the concepts covered in a small size , which I believe could get bigger and better if the first relatively long chapters were shortened ; to increase the content of more important chapters like the mentioned above.
The I/O chapter was nice , yet not sufficient , and I think it would be perfectly understood with the guidance of Sun's I/O intro tutorials.
The "collection" part was really good , although it focused mainly on the hierarchy of the collection interface & comparable/comparator concepts , but ignored some important concepts like stacks and vectors. also I think that the exercises at the end of the chapter had some syntax and logical mistakes.
On the other hand , I really enjoyed every part in the Sockets part along with the Threads , with the general feeling of "Its weirdly easy to understand these concepts" . The networking part was awesome , which pointed to the powerfulness of Java's networking and remote classes.
The GUI part was explained perfectly with all listener classes .
The most important feature in this book was : develop your code using CMD tools ; which is way too important to get used to and understand before switching to your regular IDE , compiling, running and even deploying using cmd was a great approach .
The bottom line is : this is the best intro book to Java for those beginning their way to the JavaLand , where concepts are crystally clear , the complaints above could be easily related to the author's will of keeping the size of the book relatively small ,concentrated , and preventing it from looking like a universal phone-book , and honestly I had a great time reading this book and surely I would miss this book :)
May 31, 2012
Just Awesome :)
Have ever read any Technical book like a comic novel ?
Or
U don't like to read big thick boring technical book ?
Or
Do u think Technical reading is boring ?
then here is the book for you. A well written technical comic book. If you are just in start
then i can tel you it is the best book to start with. all the concepts are very well explained.
As u finish chapter by chapter u will read java like as if you are discussing it with some one.
differences between two things are shown as if both the concepts are fighting with each other.
I loved this book and it made my java concept still more stronger.
Have ever read any Technical book like a comic novel ?
Or
U don't like to read big thick boring technical book ?
Or
Do u think Technical reading is boring ?
then here is the book for you. A well written technical comic book. If you are just in start
then i can tel you it is the best book to start with. all the concepts are very well explained.
As u finish chapter by chapter u will read java like as if you are discussing it with some one.
differences between two things are shown as if both the concepts are fighting with each other.
I loved this book and it made my java concept still more stronger.
December 8, 2013
This book was recommended to me by my TA for a graduate level programming course. I knew the basics about programming, but certain areas were very confusing to me (like abstract classes, static vs. private, threads), so I bought this book in hopes that it would help me. Head First Java cleared up EVERYTHING for me and taught me so much about Java programming! It's not your typical programming book and that's what I love about it. There are a lot of pictures, interesting puzzles and questions to check your understanding, and weird/funny anecdotes. It doesn't take itself seriously, but it will seriously teach you something about Java in an entertaining and unconventional manner. I would absolutely recommend this book for beginners through intermediate level programmers.
May 28, 2014
class ThisBookIsTerrible {
public static void main (String[] args) {
System.out.println("Please use your head and buy a book that is not one giant series of Microsoft Office Clippy™ comments.");
System.out.print("This book is ridiculously overrated. ");
System.out.print("Just use the API instead.");
}
}
public static void main (String[] args) {
System.out.println("Please use your head and buy a book that is not one giant series of Microsoft Office Clippy™ comments.");
System.out.print("This book is ridiculously overrated. ");
System.out.print("Just use the API instead.");
}
}
September 7, 2015
When I read this book the summer before my senior year of high school, I was curious about programming. But, I didn't really know where to start. Everything online confused me and I lacked fundamental knowledge. Head First Java was the most accessible technical book I've ever read. They use lots of images and stories to convey concepts that are notoriously hard to wrap your head around as a beginner programmer. And they work. Some of those images still come up in my head when I think about object oriented programming 4 years later. This book made my high school computer science classes and many of my freshman year computer science introductory courses redundant because a lot of time is spent in those trying to teach the same concepts that this book taught me in a few chapters. If you are just starting out, like I was, give this book a try. Really do all the exercises. Maybe it will give you the clarity and head start that it did for me.
July 10, 2017
I think this is the best book for truly learning Java. By that I don't just mean an "I can write a Java program" kind of learning, I mean a deep understanding of how Java works kind of understanding. We just had a question pop up the other day on our team of 10+ year experienced folks - is Java pass by value or pass by reference. And what pops into my head, but the Head First pictures of remote controls and passing by value what is really a reference to an object. I can't count the number of times that the way things were presented in this Head First book (or others) have stuck with me in ways that no other technical book has done.
May 11, 2013
This was somewhat an impulse buy: I didn't find it from researching the best Java books; I just found it on the shelf at my local bookstore and thought it looked interesting and fun. It's not. I found the method terrible and distracting. I'm always working my way through Accelerated C++ and compared to this book, Accelerated C++ is godsend. This is book is the opposite of concise, clear, and effective. It didn't show me good coding practice, and the code examples were often without much explanations. It does only one thing well, and that is clearing up a few concepts. Overall I found this to be a very distracting and slowly moving (despite that there is too much going on, and quick-paced reads, the content never gets anywhere). I would only recommend this to the most ADHD of consumers, and even then it'd be hard to pay attention. Don't buy it.
February 1, 2017
A great read.
October 16, 2020
I selected this book for studying the basic concepts of Java while getting my hands dirty with coding in Java. Unlike a lot of Programming books, this one explains things with graphics and comical way which is very easy to grasp the facts.
Learning Java syntax is easy if anyone already know any programming language. But the under the hood part of Java is not easy to understand at once. So If anyone want to understand the scenes, behind the scene and If anyone has an intention to understand the OOP concepts, then I personally recommend this book. Because after I refer this book it was very easy for me to understand the OOP concepts. So I believe anyone can understand the advanced Java concepts effortlessly with the help of this book.
Learning Java syntax is easy if anyone already know any programming language. But the under the hood part of Java is not easy to understand at once. So If anyone want to understand the scenes, behind the scene and If anyone has an intention to understand the OOP concepts, then I personally recommend this book. Because after I refer this book it was very easy for me to understand the OOP concepts. So I believe anyone can understand the advanced Java concepts effortlessly with the help of this book.
October 25, 2023
*The* book on Java programming. I've tried it all: codeacademy, cs50x, a bunch of random Java books I found in the library. I settled on this. If you want to learn Java, read this book.
It's not dumbed down, but it is readable, which very few other computer science books can claim. It's sometimes hilarious, always informative. There are no hanging questions. Something is stated in simple terms, and if you're more advanced, there'll be a little appendix that will have answers ready for you.
There's good example code and *fantastic* metaphors. No more of that "okay so an object is like a car" bullshit that everyone else tries. They throw metaphors at you until one sticks, then repeat ad-until-you-fucking-get-it.
The book is long, but comprehensive. Coming out of it, you will not be as informed as someone who spent 4 years in a computer science program, but you will have every tool you need to get to that point on your own with further self-teaching.
If you want to learn Java, read this book before any others.
By the way, you'll have a much easier time with this if you do some basic research on your own. Dick around in codeacademy, read some wikipedia pages, that kind of thing. It's not necessary, but it'll make things easier.
It's not dumbed down, but it is readable, which very few other computer science books can claim. It's sometimes hilarious, always informative. There are no hanging questions. Something is stated in simple terms, and if you're more advanced, there'll be a little appendix that will have answers ready for you.
There's good example code and *fantastic* metaphors. No more of that "okay so an object is like a car" bullshit that everyone else tries. They throw metaphors at you until one sticks, then repeat ad-until-you-fucking-get-it.
The book is long, but comprehensive. Coming out of it, you will not be as informed as someone who spent 4 years in a computer science program, but you will have every tool you need to get to that point on your own with further self-teaching.
If you want to learn Java, read this book before any others.
By the way, you'll have a much easier time with this if you do some basic research on your own. Dick around in codeacademy, read some wikipedia pages, that kind of thing. It's not necessary, but it'll make things easier.
December 30, 2022
I am a senior Computer Science major with experience in C, C++, python, and assembly. I have not worked professionally and am still a student.
Book's biggest problem: A lot of words and little code in comparison.
Too much time and effort spent on trying to be funny and entertaining with not enough energy spent on short, straightforward explanations.
It takes the author a crazy amount of time to ever just get to the point on topics because they have to have their joke sections, then they have go on long tangents that don't really say anything before you finally reach useful information.
There's only a single chapter dedicated to data structures, but each structure is rushed through and there's no time spent going over the pros and cons of each which would be highly useful for a beginner book to go over...
Wasn't a fan of the "Be the compiler" sections or the Q&A sections where none of my actual questions ever came up.
Not a useful book if you have experience, as there isn't enough code.
Book's biggest problem: A lot of words and little code in comparison.
Too much time and effort spent on trying to be funny and entertaining with not enough energy spent on short, straightforward explanations.
It takes the author a crazy amount of time to ever just get to the point on topics because they have to have their joke sections, then they have go on long tangents that don't really say anything before you finally reach useful information.
There's only a single chapter dedicated to data structures, but each structure is rushed through and there's no time spent going over the pros and cons of each which would be highly useful for a beginner book to go over...
Wasn't a fan of the "Be the compiler" sections or the Q&A sections where none of my actual questions ever came up.
Not a useful book if you have experience, as there isn't enough code.
December 13, 2009
I am returning to this book determined to slog through all the tutorials and lessons. As a self taught programmer this task has already helped fill in some of the gaps in my skill set. Each of these self teaching books have a special method presentation and in this one the multi-method presentation of information by side notes, cute captioned snap shots of authors and their friends, and various mental challenge tasks and lessons works for me. I recommend individuals looking to program in Java survey this title to see if it would work for them too.
Now to dig into the next lesson.
Now to dig into the next lesson.
October 18, 2016
Five stars for the actual content, the unbelievable simplicity and comprehensibility of the material, fun exercises (with solutions!), all the times I've stirred in excitement about things that almost put me to sleep when talked of in other books, and one star for the revolting uncalled for sexist jokes.
That's 3 stars, yeah? I don't know, my feeble feminine brain is unable of grasping mathematics. Why don't some of strong muscular brogrammers check it for me; I've got to go anyways, my cake is burning in the oven.
That's 3 stars, yeah? I don't know, my feeble feminine brain is unable of grasping mathematics. Why don't some of strong muscular brogrammers check it for me; I've got to go anyways, my cake is burning in the oven.
September 17, 2010
Of of the few development books in which the author's focus is for the reader to learn. Most of the time technical book authors simply want to show off. Not here.
October 4, 2012
My first programming book. :)
February 21, 2019
"Head First Java" is a stunning example of a textbook in which the method of conveying complex information is presented in the simplest possible way.
The best part is a beginning which includes amazing pieces of advice about the technics of studying IT literature.
"Must read" for all Java programmers.
The only flaw I can see here is that the subject is changing constantly and even this wonderful book is a bit outdated.
If someone knows the updated version of this kind of book I would be grateful if you tell me its name.
The best part is a beginning which includes amazing pieces of advice about the technics of studying IT literature.
"Must read" for all Java programmers.
The only flaw I can see here is that the subject is changing constantly and even this wonderful book is a bit outdated.
If someone knows the updated version of this kind of book I would be grateful if you tell me its name.
March 21, 2018
A really good introduction text to the Java language and one that I recommend especially to those coming to Java from a different language (in my case python/ruby). The style makes it memorable (which is the idea I'm sure) but it also somewhat distracts. Overall it is really worthwhile.
September 5, 2022
Great learning expirience, although for someone more knowledgeable about the topic, it may seem too basic.
April 29, 2010
This is the best programming book I have ever read. Head First's visual approach to learning make everything fun and exciting. The whole book revolved around projects - the biggest of them was making a synthesizer in Java. Puzzles, crosswords, cartoons are all over. Don't take all that for the book being light on content. It is just that they believe that it is much better to learn while having fun instead of cursing your book.
June 2, 2012
Head First Series is your best friend. If you're not as much of a coding prodigy as you'd like, this book will make you feel just smart enough to keep turning the pages. Plus, it will make you laugh!
Sure the humor can be a bit...nerdy...but it's always worth a smirk and an eye roll at it worst; that's still an emotional response that isn't "FUCK MY LIFE, THIS CODE CAN GO TO HELL!" which is nice.
Sure the humor can be a bit...nerdy...but it's always worth a smirk and an eye roll at it worst; that's still an emotional response that isn't "FUCK MY LIFE, THIS CODE CAN GO TO HELL!" which is nice.
August 24, 2015
I am a n00b programmer but this book was very detailed and went over all the details to learning the java language and object oriented programming in general. Learned about concepts such as multithreading, generics, and networks which is more than I ever thought I would! Very fun read. The authors keep java entertaining and I laughed many times while reading this text. Highly recommend!
October 28, 2012
When I was trying to learn how to develop for Android I quickly came to the decision that I needed to learn Java if I wanted to be any good at coding for Android. I really did like the way this book was formatted, made it a bit easier to learn.
November 14, 2015
Varsin havainnollinen kirja Javan perusteista aloittelijalle. Joitakin epätarkkuuksia löytyy sieltä täältä, mutta yleisesti tämä on mielestäni erittäin hyvä ensimmäinen kirja Javaa opiskelevalle (etenkin, jos ei ole ohjelmoinnista ennestään kovin syvällisesti perillä).
August 27, 2016
I don't like it, the book style too entertained, the format is irregular tht it is hard to seize useful information. I simply need a book to disaplay the content of each function, maybe I'll just read things on oracle.
September 24, 2011
This book is the only way to go! Any other book just tells you what to do, this book teaches it to you in an entertaining way.
August 27, 2023
Ik betwijfel of er een beter boek is om java te leren, zeker voor een digibeet als ik. De methodes om de essentie over te brengen zijn oprecht vooruitstrevend te noemen. nice
April 2, 2021
If only people could be introduced as well as this book introduces Java. However, if that were the case I would probably not be studying computer science.
December 29, 2008
Really good book for people just starting to learn Java.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews