Synopses & Reviews
Computers are so much a part of our daily lives that many of us take them for granted. You turn on your PC, connect to the Internet and check your stocks, your e-mail, or the weather report, write a note to Grandma, or relax for half an hour by shooting make-believe lasers at make-believe aliens. But if you ever wonder “how do they make a computer do that?” then you may be a candidate for
Beginning Programming with Java™ For Dummies®.If you’re ready to take the plunge into programming, Java is a wonderful place to start.
You can write Java code for any operating system. A cool device called the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) will translate your code so it can be understood by your Windows system, your neighbor’s Mac, or your nerdy cousin’s Unix box. Java is a good place to begin learning programming. And not only can programming be fun, it can also be a lucrative career.
Author Barry Burd breaks down Java programming into fun and manageable bites – or bytes. He walks you through downloading and setting up the Java compiler, JVM, and Java API, and then away you go! You’ll be able to
- Explore the parts of a program
- Discover methods, variables, values, and types
- Find out how the computer turns your program into the zeros and ones it understands
- See how your computer makes decisions and how your program directs its choices
- Create loops, use arrays, and program with objects and classes
- Translate the mysteries of some common error messages – and fix the problems they reveal
Once you discover the joys of Java programming, you just might find you’re hooked. You’ll be able to make that machine do your bidding, at least some of the time. You may find yourself thinking of programming like a game of strategy, in which it’s up to you to find the secret passageway, decipher the magic words, and save the princess. Sound like fun? Here’s the place to start.
Synopsis
- Java continues to displace C++ and Pascal as the main teaching languages for first-time computer programmers- Much of Java's popularity is largely due to its relative simplicity and its ability to replace some of programming's more tedious tasks- Friendly writing style focuses on people who are not only dealing with Java for the first time but also dealing with writing programs for the first time- Helps readers understand the ins and outs of writing effective programming code and lets them add Java to their own knowledge database
Synopsis
The jargon-free way to get into programming
Begin writing solid, working Java programs right away
Ready to jump into the exciting world of Java? With easy-to-follow instructions and numerous examples, Barry Burd provides you with a firm foundation in programming basics and great strategies for writing solid code. Before you know it, youll be making methods, using classes, working with arrays, and creating your own powerful programs.
The Dummies Way
- Explanations in plain English
- "Get in, get out" information
- Icons and other navigational aids
- Tear-out cheat sheet
- Top ten lists
- A dash of humor and fun
About the Author
Barry Burd, PhD, teaches computer science at Drew University and trains professional programmers. He also speaks at conferences worldwide and is the author of Java 2 For Dummies.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Part I: Revving Up.
Chapter 1: Getting Started.
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Computer.
Chapter 3: Running Programs.
Part II: Writing Your Own Java Programs.
Chapter 4: Exploring the Parts of a Program.
Chapter 5: Composing a Program.
Chapter 6: Using the Building Blocks: Variables, Values, and Types.
Chapter 7: Numbers and Types.
Chapter 8: Numbers? Who Needs Numbers?
Part III: Controlling the Flow.
Chapter 9: Forks in the Road.
Chapter 10: Which Way Did He Go?
Chapter 11: How to Flick a Virtual Switch.
Chapter 12: Around and Around It Goes.
Chapter 13: Piles of Files (Dealing with Information Overload).
Chapter 14: Creating Loops within Loops.
Chapter 15: The Old Runaround.
Part IV: Using Program Units.
Chapter 16: Using Loops and Arrays.
Chapter 17: Programming with Objects and Classes.
Chapter 18: Using Methods from a Java Class.
Chapter 19: Creating New Java Methods.
Chapter 20: Oooey GUI Was a Worm.
Part V: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 21: Ten Sets of Web Links.
Chapter 22: Ten Useful Classes in the Java API.
Chapter 23: Ten Error Messages (And What to Do about Them).
Appendix: Reading and Understanding Java’s API Documentation.
Index.