new to ooad

[Shrirang Khare]

I am new to OOAD and want to know what is the best way i can start learning. I am pretty comfortable with languages like java and C++ but have been doing programming more or less in the C style.Some how i am not too comfortable with real OOP and design for a given problem.I recently cleared SCJP and now wish to appear for IBM 486 test i think preparing for this test will serve as a vehicle for learning OOAD what do you guys have to say about it ?

[Pho Tek]

For myself, the eureka moment when I finally understood
OOAD in its most rawest form was when I worked on a project
using predominantly agile methods like use cases and CRC cards.
Use cases are superb for estimating development cost, priorities and test cases. CRC cards provided a simulation environment for developers to see how objects interact with each of them. Both of these "lightweight methodologies" deal with analysis and a little of design. Mapping these artifacts to Java is a different beast altogether - you'll need to master the language intricacies and be able to apply design patterns where there's a fit.
Pho

[Kyle Brown]

Well, I'm not sure cramming for a test is the best way to learn anything but at least the recommended books for the IBM design test will give you something to chew on. In particular, I'd recommend you start with Martin Fowler's "UML Distilled". It's a very easy read on how the diagrams in UML work.
However, if you've never been exposed to ANY OO Design at all, the book to start with would be Rebecca Wirfs-Brock's "Designing Object Oriented Software". That will teach you the basics of CRC cards and some good starter principles for learning OO design.
However, the way to learn this stuff is to do it. Find a buddy and work through a project. Even better -- find a mentor to help you out. That's the only way you'll ever really grasp how OOA&D works.
------------------
Kyle Brown,
Author of Enterprise Java (tm) Programming with IBM Websphere
[This message has been edited by Kyle Brown (edited October 02, 2001).]

[Maurice Reeves]

Another excellent book to learn OO from, that is pointed to Java is "Beginning Java Objects" by Jacquie Barker and published by Wrox books. It's rating from 40 different reviews on Amazon is still a solid 5 stars.
The subtitle of the book is "From Concepts To Code" and it does just that. The author starts off with the basics of OOAD, from writing case studies, to creating Cards, and UML Diagrams all the way to coding the application. You stick with one application through the book which helps to elucidate the concepts she's explaining.

[Glen Jansen]

Here are some links to get your legs moving.
JavaWorld Articles: http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-04-2001/jw-0406-java101.html
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-05-2001/jw-0504-java101.html
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-06-2001/jw-0608-java101.html
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-07-2001/jw-0706-java101.html
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-08-2001/jw-0803-java101.html
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-09-2001/jw-0907-java101.html
The Essence of Object-Oriented Programming with Java and UML (DRAFT) -> http://www.objectcentral.com/oobook/oobook.htm
Hope this can help you get started.
Glen.

[Shrirang Khare]

Thanx all for so many points for learning OOAD
Shrirang Khare
SCJP2 (89%)

[Alan Shalloway]

Originally posted by Shrirang Khare:
I am new to OOAD and want to know what is the best way i can start learning. I am pretty comfortable with languages like java and C++ but have been doing programming more or less in the C style.Some how i am not too comfortable with real OOP and design for a given problem.I recently cleared SCJP and now wish to appear for IBM 486 test i think preparing for this test will serve as a vehicle for learning OOAD what do you guys have to say about it ?

I just posted this elsewhere on the site and thought it'd be of interest to you:
Forgot to mention one of my favorite books that I haven't seen posted here. It's Peter Coad's Java Design. This is a must read, in my opinion, for all java developers. It's the best design book i've seen anywhere, but is, of course, only useful for java developers. He doesn't talk about patterns in the book, but he uses their principles. I buy a copy for each of my new employees (along with a copy of my own book of course Actually, while I'm at it (I can anticipate the question now i'll list some of my favorite books:
UML Distilled
XP Explained
Refactoring

------------------
Alan Shalloway,
Look for Jim Trott and my book: Design Patterns Explained
Visit our site Net Objectives.
Visit our on-line companion to the book

[suresh kr]

Hi,
Since you are familiar with Java try "Enterprise Java with UML" by C.T.Arrington.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471386804/ref=bxgy_sr_text_a/107-5618616-9062132
I learnt a lot from this.
Cheers

[will boyd]

i second the earlier recommendation for Beginning Java Objects: From Concepts to Code - Jacquie Barker (Wrox Press ISBN 1-861004-17-6)
the perfect book if you are new to ooad. trust me. you will not regret buying this book.