Greetings!

[Jacquie Barker]

As the author of Beginning Java Objects, I want to thank the folks at Java Ranch, along with my publisher, Apress, for featuring my book as the Java Ranch book of the week.
My professional commitments as a software engineer prevent me from checking in on this discussion group during the daytime; but, I'll be sure to check in every evening, starting tonight (Tues. 10/14), to see how I may be of help to you in your "Java journey".
Best Regards,
Jacquie

[Pradeep bhatt]

Welcome Jacquie !

[Vad Fogel]

Your help is much appreciated Jacquie!

[John Hembree]

Welcome aboard, we'll take the help anytime.

[Jem Edwards]

Hi Jacquie!
Thanks for taking the time to join us. I have taken one college class on Java Programming and it was a bear. Before I take the second class I have been going through other books that are supposed to help out beginners but they all seem to be going through the same script and not much help for a novice like me. In fact, this forum has been more help than some of the books I've tried to learn from including "Java for Dummies"!
How do you consider your approach in writing this "Beginner" book different from others?
[ October 14, 2003: Message edited by: Jem Edwards ]

[Tom Blough]

Jacquie,
Do you take an objects first approach in your book? Do you feel it's appropiate for a introductory CS1 course, or better suited for learning on your own?
Glad ot have you here an I look forward to your replies.

[S Zuniga]

Welcome, Jacqui! Thanks for joining us!

[vasu maj]

Welcome Jacquie! Thanks for sparing your time to be here...
What is your motivation to write this book?
It is obvious from the title of the book that it takes a different route than a regular java introductory book. And the front cover and the introduction talk about object modeling and "a blue print from where an object orineted system can be developed". How could you maintain it to remain an introductory book and at the same time introduce such advanced topics as modeling?
Thanks,
Vasu

[Jason Menard]

Welcome aboard Jacquie!

[Chris Fetterley]

Hello Jacquie!
--------------------
Welcome to the Java Ranch!

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by vasu maj:
Welcome Jacquie! Thanks for sparing your time to be here...
What is your motivation to write this book? ...

Vasu Maj,
I recommend re-posting the above question to its own thread. When picking the winners for the book giveaways, the "greeting" threads and other off-topic threads generally aren't considered.

[David O'Meara]

Welcome Jacquie, I hope you enjoy your stay!

[Sainudheen Mydeen]

Welcome Jacquie!
-Sainudheen

[Michael Cleary]

Welcome Jacquie, I am currently taking a Java Programming course and we will shortly be starting a section on Objects. It sound to me like your book may be just what I need!
Hope you enjoy the forum!
Thanks,
Mike

[Bill Barbour]

Welcome Jacquie, and thanks for joining us!

-Bill

[Jacquie Barker]

Jem, thanks for asking! My approach to teaching Java is to focus on its object oriented "roots" by teaching object concepts in depth side-by-side with Java syntax. Most beginning Java books provide a sketchy first chapter on "what is an object? what is a class?", then dive into the bits and bytes of the language without regard to how to properly design an application from the ground up to take advantage of the power of objects.
Another aspect of my approach that differs from most other books is that I use a single, core case study to show how to bridge the gap between object concepts, object modeling with UML, and building a complete Java application.
Finally, I think my book has been successful because it was written based on my experience with teaching the subject matter at the University level; my message has been road-tested and refined thanks to the many questions that I've been asked by students throughout the years.
To learn a bit more about my object-centric approach to teaching Java, I invite JavaRanch members to visit my website, http://objectstart.com, to download a courtesy copy of the introduction to my book.
Please let me know how I may be of help to you in your "Java Journey"!
Best Regards,
Jacquie

Originally posted by Jem Edwards:
Hi Jacquie!
Thanks for taking the time to join us. I have taken one college class on Java Programming and it was a bear. Before I take the second class I have been going through other books that are supposed to help out beginners but they all seem to be going through the same script and not much help for a novice like me. In fact, this forum has been more help than some of the books I've tried to learn from including "Java for Dummies"!
How do you consider your approach in writing this "Beginner" book different from others?
[ October 14, 2003: Message edited by: Jem Edwards ]

[Jacquie Barker]

Tom, I've gotten equally good feedback both from folks who are studying Java on their own as well as from students and instructors who have used my book as a textbook. No matter what the circumstances, getting a proper grounding in objects is critical to using Java properly. In fact, I've had folks write to me who've used my book as a foundation for learning other OO languages -- Python, C# -- because so much of what I explain about objects in Part I of my book is "language neutral".
Thanks for asking!

Originally posted by Tom Blough:
Jacquie,
Do you take an objects first approach in your book? Do you feel it's appropiate for a introductory CS1 course, or better suited for learning on your own?
Glad ot have you here an I look forward to your replies.

[Jacquie Barker]

My motivation in writing the book was to provide an overview of all of the key components to successful Java software development -- understanding object fundamentals; learning language syntax basics; getting a big picture understanding of object modeling; and translating such a model into a full fledged application -- between a single set of covers, because while there were already many excellent books on these topics individually, I hadn't come across one that tied all of the pieces together.
My material evolved over several years as a MASSIVE (!) set of PowerPoint lecture slides for my students at The George Washington University. One day, I simply realized that I had practically written a BOOK, so ... why not turn them into one? ;o) To my delight, my book proposal was well received by virtually every publisher I contacted, and the rest is history!!!
As to how I can do justice to object modeling, my intention was not to reinvent the wheel by covering all of the nitty gritty aspects of the subject, but rather to give a big picture overview of WHY we do what we do when we develop an object model. Once folks have read Part II of my book, I encourage those who want a more in-depth treatment of the subject to consult one of the many excellent books dedicated to this topic, such as the Addison Wesley UML series of books.
My hope is that my book will serve as a launchpad for the Java/object learning experience.
Best Regards,
Jacquie

Originally posted by vasu maj:
Welcome Jacquie! Thanks for sparing your time to be here...
What is your motivation to write this book?
It is obvious from the title of the book that it takes a different route than a regular java introductory book. And the front cover and the introduction talk about object modeling and "a blue print from where an object orineted system can be developed". How could you maintain it to remain an introductory book and at the same time introduce such advanced topics as modeling?
Thanks,
Vasu