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Title: On to Java: Fast Travel on the Natural Path to Java Essentials and Effective Programming Practices by Patrick Henry Winston, Sundar Narasimhan ISBN: 0-201-72593-2 Publisher: Pearson Addison Wesley Pub. Date: 15 January, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $34.80 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.05 (22 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: support for errors is non-existent
Comment: Basically, what all those 5-star reviewers say is true, but they either didn't really work through the book or they are leaving out some critical information. I found errors in this book and when I tried to report them, the website listed on the back was no longer active and there was no response to emails. Months after reporting the problems, their site still said there were no known errors.
Upon reaching the halfway point in the book, I found the project would not run as given in the text. I went to their website (which, like I said, appeared to be abandoned) and found some different code for the chapter I was on, but that wouldn't even compile! Luckily, I also had Geary's Graphic Java book and was able to get past the error using his approach. I felt that errors like this, along with the complete lack of support, were quite unacceptable from a second edition. Now they have a follow-up edition which appears to be simply rewritten for Java 2. The website referenced no longer exists and you now get redirected to Winston's book site, which does not even pretend to support this book! The last update to the known bugs was in 1997!!! I've sent him at least two emails on his errors since then!
I also found the segment numbering scheme to be distracting and strange. The "segments" are 1 or 2 paragraph subsections; they are numbered sequentially throughout the book. The author will say "please refer to segment number 238..." and I see this more like a GOTO in programming and therefore a cop-out by authors that didn't want to bother with numbering sections in the normal manner. This is just a personal peeve and I would only take off one star at most for it.
Rating: 5
Summary: The Best Book on Core Java Programming
Comment: I have read many books on Java, and I can state unequivically that On To Java is by far the most practical guide to core Java syntax and programming idioms that I have read. If you want to fully understand how to use basic Java programming elements, this is the only good book I have found. Programming explanations, examples and excercises are very clear and build in increments up to very full programs. Even experienced programmers can gain a lot of insight into the structure of Java by this remarkably clear treatment of Java programming; however, the best audience is those who are new to Java, particularly those who have wasted a lot of time getting lost in books that primarily cover OO theory (without showing application) or specific API's (i.e, books that you read and then realize you still cannot write proper code). Ironically, by focusing on concrete examples, On To Java provides one of the clearest explanations of the tenets of OO (as opposed to theory-laden treatments).
There are large sections of Java technology that this book does not cover, including JDBC and EJB, but there are plenty of books that specifically target these subjects. If you read On To Java, you will be well-prepared to tackle any API-specific book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Easily Consumed Wisdom
Comment: Java is a strong flavorful brew, best consumed in small sips.
On to Java does an admirable job of breaking the process of learning Java programming into small easily comprehensible pieces.
I wouldn't recommend this as your sole book if you're learning Java as your first programming language, but it is a great all around book for an intermediate programmer, or as a supplement for a beginner.
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Title: On to C++ by Patrick Henry Winston ISBN: 0201580438 Publisher: Pearson Education POD Pub. Date: January, 1994 List Price(USD): $34.80 |
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Title: Thinking in Java (3rd Edition) by Bruce Eckel ISBN: 0131002872 Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR Pub. Date: 06 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $49.99 |
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Title: Concepts of Programming Languages (5th Edition) by Robert W. Sebesta ISBN: 0201752956 Publisher: Pearson Addison Wesley Pub. Date: 31 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $109.00 |
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Title: Beginning Java Objects: From Concepts to Code by Jacquie Barker ISBN: 1590591461 Publisher: APress Pub. Date: July, 2003 List Price(USD): $44.99 |
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Title: Object Technology: A Manager's Guide (2nd Edition) by David A. Taylor ISBN: 0201309947 Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co Pub. Date: 11 September, 1997 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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