Getting started with JAVA

[Mike McGeoy]

Greetings!
Quick bio then a simple question!
* I'm getting back into SQA after a 5-6 year layoff (mostly blackbox, some automation tools)
* I'm not really an engineer but given 9+ years in QA feel very comfortable "looking" at code from a testing perspective
* I Have taken a few entry level courses (HTML, XML, SQL -lots of L's!)
* I Have built some good functional websites (HTML and already availble cgi's hooked to Filemaker Pro databases on the back-end
I'm interested in learning Java mostly so that I can enhance my testing skills, but I do like to dabble a little.
What would you suggest?
Thanks
Mike McGeoy

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

You want to run right out and get yourself a copy of Head First Java. Do yourself a favor, and get off on the right foot with this clever and engaging book.

[Mike Parish]

I would suggested "Beginning Java 2" by Ivor Horton.
I used his book to learn Java. I started in the IT world as a COBOL/C developer (yeah COBOL) and needed to upgrade my skills. I found this book particularly useful. He usually starts with a simple piece of code and adds more and more layers, explaining as it builds. It's a very 'hands on' type book. There are exercises at the end of each chapter you should attempt. All the answers are available from the 'p2p.wrox.com' Website.
Regards
Mike Parish Toronto Canada

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Welcome to JavaRanch, Mike!
Here is a list of free on-line Java tutorials and books that I have found useful:

Sun's Java Tutorial

Introduction to Computer Science using Java by Bradley Kjell

Introduction to Programming Using Java by David J. Eck

Dick Baldwin's Java Programming Tutorials

Interactive Programming In Java by Lynn Andrea Stein

Bruce Eckel's Thinking In Java

[ October 26, 2003: Message edited by: Dirk Schreckmann ]