Find the Best Java Book for Absolute Beginners

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding suitable Java programming books for absolute beginners. Participants share their experiences and recommendations, exploring various resources and approaches to learning Java.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests visiting a library to sample multiple books and choose the most readable, recommending "Big Java" and "Head First Java".
  • Another participant shares a hands-on approach, emphasizing the use of compilers and documentation over traditional books, stating they no longer buy IT books.
  • A participant recommends Ivor Horton's "Beginning Java 2" as a well-written option.
  • One participant expresses a preference for books by Michael Main while criticizing Cay Horstmann's style, suggesting a practical approach by modifying a simple "Hello World" program.
  • A participant from India notes limited access to international editions and requests book recommendations suitable for absolute beginners.
  • Another participant mentions the availability of eBooks, specifically "Thinking In Java" as a free resource, and points to a textbook that appears unfinished but is well-written.
  • Several participants express differing opinions on Horstmann's writing style, with one stating they own multiple books by him but did not find them helpful.
  • Another participant questions the logic behind purchasing multiple books from an author whose style is disliked, while acknowledging the high cost of some technical books.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the effectiveness of different authors and learning methods, with no clear consensus on the best resources for beginners. Disagreements exist regarding the value of certain books and authors.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention limitations in access to certain editions and resources, as well as personal preferences that affect their recommendations.

i.mehrzad
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A good book please??

I am intersted in learning java, but am an absolute illeterate in this matter. Can someone tell me a starting point with regard to this.
I want to do java out of sheer interest and nothing else. Can someone guide me.
 
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i.mehrzad said:
I am intersted in learning java, but am an absolute illeterate in this matter. Can someone tell me a starting point with regard to this.
I want to do java out of sheer interest and nothing else. Can someone guide me.

Glad to see you are interested in Java. I would go to a library and pick up at least 5 books on the subject, read one chapter from each book and go with the one that is the most clear and readable for me.

My recommendations are

[1]Big Java, one of my all time favorite book on Java
[2]Head First Java, it is a fine book

for the rest of beginning books I cannot say I haven't read them.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470105542/?tag=pfamazon01-20
[2] https://www.amazon.com/dp/0596009208/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I bought several books some years ago about java, javabeans, ...
I read none of them.
Instead, I used the compiler I had chosen, the help files and the javadoc files of the class hierarchy.
An hands-on approach was the best one.

Since then, I decided never to buy IT books anymore.
 
Ivor Horton's "Beginning Java 2" is well written, IMO.
 
I like books from Michael Main.

I hate cay horstmann, so id stay away.but i think the best way to to take the hello world class and edit from there, make changes and stuff and just read online, then compile and go from there, i would also uses eclipse as your ide http://www.eclipse.org/
Code:
class Helloworld{  

        public static void main(String args[]) {
           System.out.println("Hello World!");
        }
}
 
Last edited:
Since i am in India my Exposure to International Editions of Books is fairly limited. The ones that i have down here are only the low priced Editions of books.
Also i am an absolute beginner and don't even know what programming is.
So please could someone now recommend me a book.
 
We just recommended you some books.

In my library I see on a lot of books with "Not for sale in the USA" tags but that doesn't mean they are defects.

If you don't like cheap books maybe you can try eBooks. I believe that Thinking In Java 3rd Edition is a free - you can legally copy it from here http://www.mindview.net/Books/TIJ/, fell free to Google around.

Also I found this site's textbook to be written nicely but it looks a bit unfinished
http://www.cs101.org/

Llama77, what is wrong with Horstmann? I would like somebody like that to teach programming at my University.
 
Im just not a fan of his style, I own about 8 of his books and didnt learn much from any.
 
  • #10
You can check this out.. its free...

www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~cs1101[/URL]

and this

[PLAIN]http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~cs1101l/

the first website has lecture notes, tutorials etc and the second one has labs and exercises to practice on...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
Llama77 said:
Im just not a fan of his style, I own about 8 of his books and didnt learn much from any.

Sorry but I just can't help not to comment: Why did you buy 8 books if you don't like the style of the books?

Except for Core Java they are pretty expensive too.
 
  • #12
haki said:
Sorry but I just can't help not to comment: Why did you buy 8 books if you don't like the style of the books?

Except for Core Java they are pretty expensive too.

Because I get tech books for free,
 

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