Book recommendations

[Dean Jones]

Ok, I learned a good bit about java a couple of years back. However, I was primarily a C developer and didn't use Java all that much and eventually left it all together. Lately, I've been laid off and looking for a new job. I'm sick of doing C development! Plus, there are A LOT more jobs in Java, it seems.

What I'm looking for is a book that is good for people that already have a lot of experience with general programming. I don't really need to understand things like flow control and such. Maybe some basic skimming to see if Java handles it differently than others, etc... Basically, I don't want a 1000 page book with 500 of the pages giving detailed info on if/else, for, while, etc... I really need more on understanding objects and the java API along with understanding JDBC, File I/O and Swing even... I remember the basics of java... I can write a small console program with ease. So, does anyone know a book that might cater to me?

[Steven Bell]

Off the top of my head I would recommend a book called 'Thinking in Java' by Bruce Eckel (sp?).

It's a good book, but as a bonus you can download it free in pdf.

[Michael Dunn]

It sounds like you're after reference material, rather than a 'tutorial' book,
so perhaps a site with a lot of snippets of code might suit you
Java Almanac

there's also a link on the site for the book.

Another good reference book Java Programmers Reference

and another Java Cookbook

[Dean Jones]

I think a reference would be good too. However, while I think I have a good grasp of OO, I'd like some good examples of good OO programming as well as good descriptions of why it's good so I can get it down pat.

[Dean Jones]

How about Core Java Volume 1 & 2? Are these worth while?

[Paul Sturrock]

I'll second "Thinking In Java" - which is (IMHO) pretty much the best Java basics overview out there. Its free, and it references C/C++ for comparison so it might be even better suited too your experience.

[ankur rathi]

Steven ,

can you give URL for free download 'thinking in java' ...

thanks .

[Julia Reynolds]

IBM has this tutorial called Java programming for C/C++ developers:

http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/j-dw-ijcc++p-i.html

Julia

[Dean Jones]

Originally posted by rathi ji:
Steven ,

can you give URL for free download 'thinking in java' ...

thanks .

http://www.webhost-galaxy.com/mirrors/eckelbooks/TIJ-3rd-edition4.0.zip

[Jeroen Wenting]

personally I'm not fond of Bruce Eckells' writing style.

I learned Java initially from Java in a Nutshell, probably the least likely tutorial
I've read too many books since to be able to tell which taught me most...

[Steven Bell]

I shudder at the thought of learning Java from 'Java in a Nutshell' although I find it great reference material. Another book I would highly recommend for all skill levels is the book 'effective java'.

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/effective/

[Steve Morrow]

Here's my standard list of handy-dandy beginner's references...

Your First Cup of Java - http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/index.html
Essentials, Part 1, Lesson 1: Compiling & Running a Simple Program - http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/Programming/BasicJava1/compile.html
The Java Tutorial - A practical guide for programmers - http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/
New to Java Center - http://java.sun.com/learning/new2java/index.html
How To Think Like A Computer Scientist - http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCSjav/
Introduction to Computer Science using Java - http://chortle.ccsu.ctstateu.edu/CS151/cs151java.html
The Java Developers Almanac 1.4 - http://javaalmanac.com/
JavaRanch: a friendly place for Java greenhorns - http://www.javaranch.com/
jGuru - http://www.jguru.com

Object-Oriented Programming Concepts - http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/concepts/
Object-oriented language basics - http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-04-2001/jw-0406-java101.html
Don't Fear the OOP - http://sepwww.stanford.edu/sep/josman/oop/oop1.htm

Books:
Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra's Head First Java - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596004656?v=glance
Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java (Free online) - http://mindview.net/Books/DownloadSites
Joshua Bloch's Effective Java - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/Author=Bloch,%20Josh
Java Design: Building Better Apps and Applets (2nd Edition) - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0139111816/qid=1101309882/sr=8-7/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i7_xgl14/104-6417153-1511164?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Dean Jones]

I'm just not necessarily a beginner... I know basic Java pretty well. I need something that maybe goes over the libraries with examples of how to use them (that would be nice, but I can't seem to find any good ones), Also, something that goes over OO a bit so I can brush up on it. I've been doing a lot of PHP 5 programming along with C, so I'm fairly comfortable with OO, but since Java is nothing but objects, I just want to read more in to it to bring myself more into Java. So, beginner books like "Head First Java" and such aren't really what I need... Or maybe I do and I'm just arogant. I actually own "Head First Java" and Sun's "Core Servlets and JSP" which my previous employer bought me... "Thinking in Java" looks nice, but I just hate books that are over 1000 pages... I know Java is a big language with all the API to cover and such, but I still think there has to be a "diet book" on Java for experienced programmers.
[ January 05, 2005: Message edited by: Dean Joness ]

[John Dell'Oso]

Dean,

I would recommend Core Java Volumes 1 & 2. I have recently purchased the latest editions (7th) which have updates on JDK1.5 (or Java 5, or whatever else you want to call it).

I would also recommend Java 2 Primer Plus. From your point of view, being an experienced programmer in other languages, I think you will find this book very practical in terms of learning the more important aspects of the Java API.

For a more conceptual approach to learning Java, I like others who have replied to your post recommend Thinking In Java. I constantly refer to this book when I want a "deeper" understanding of concepts in Java. Don't be put off by the 1000+ pages, just jump to the sections that you would like to learn more about.

Cheers,
JD

[Paul Santa Maria]

The recommendations above were very good, but may I add:

Just Java, Peter van der Linden
(the new, 6th Edition adds coverage for JDK 1.5)

IMHO .. PSM