may I know what's the difference in Head first Java 1st & 2nd Edition?

[aslika bahini]

Hi there!



may I know what's the difference b/w Head first Java 1st & 2nd Edition?
planning to buy first edition.


suggestions would be great!
Thanks
regards
samura

[David McCombs]

As a general rule you should always buy the newest edition first. Not only is errata fixed, but also has coverage of new features. The second edition covers 1.5, which is not the newest version, but still very relevant and useful. More then a book on 1.4 is.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by David McCombs:
... The second edition covers 1.5, which is not the newest version, but still very relevant and useful. More then a book on 1.4 is.

I haven't seen that 1.6 has any changes too significant for beginning Java, so I don't think that beginner books need to be concerned with upgrading from 1.5 to 1.6.

However, the change from 1.4 to 1.5 was very significant, so I would definitely go for the 2nd edition.

[Red Smith]

may I know what's the difference b/w Head first Java 1st & 2nd Edition?
planning to buy first edition.

If you are picking it up used or at a clearance price I don't think it's a bad idea. Once you finish the book you can visit

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/relnotes/features.html

to see that was added in Java 1.5 that your edition would not cover. Or by that time the 2nd edition may be at bargain prices due to a 3rd edition...

The "Cattle Ranch" section of this site that is a paid online class, still tells you to download the 1.4 version of Java which the first edition of Head First Java covers.
[ August 06, 2007: Message edited by: Red Smith ]