Przemyslaw Wojnowski

Hi. Sorry for late repy.

Recently I've added posts describing common problems with synchronization and how to solve them. For example see Java synchronized method, where threads modify counter with and without synchronization. In further posts I'll describe problems with visibility (volatile) and atomicity.

Cheers.

Because from the beginning you've got something working with which you can play and have fun. IMHO having fun is very important in learning.
Not having any feedback for 80 pages may be just dull and many wannabe programmers would just give up.

It's just my opinion.

Well, in term starting programming, TIJ4 is not so good, because the first program to write is around page 80 (sic!). IMHO "Hello, world" should be on page 1. But in terms of exercises/programs/projects to write TIJ4 is very good IMHO.

Hi.

"Thinking in Java" has a lot of projects, but... for the reader to write. You learn programming by writing programs and solving problems.
Of course, reading code of existing programs - especially well written - is also good, but only writing makes you think in the way programmers do. So, in this regard TIJ is a great book.

Hope it helps.

I read "TDD by Example" and I really liked it. The book contain a lot of hints how to approach tests, what to test and how.

One thing to note is Refactoring, which is, often missed, part of "Red-Green-Refactor" mantra. Remember that refactoring is part of the TDD and should be done constantly. Tests should be refactored too.

Hi.

I've an old "Thinking in Java" 4th edition and IMHO it's still pretty good. It describes features of Java up to 5/6, but it does it thoroughly. On thing I like about the book is that it teaches also Design Patterns and programming in general, not only describes language syntax and library.

Anyway, features and language syntax from Java 5/6 are still in Java 7/8, so you will have to learn it anyway.