Product DescriptionThink like a programmer! Now updated to integrate Java 5.0, Cay Horstmann's Java Concepts, Fourth Edition provides an up-to-date, highly effective, and accessible introduction to the Java language and a solid grounding in fundamental computer science concepts. Drawing on his many years of experience as a career programmer and teacher, Horstmann will inspire you to think like a programmer and develop the problem-solving skills you need to succeed in your course and future career. Features * Updated coverage to integrate Java 5.0. The text can still be used with older versions of Java. * An approach that goes beyond language syntax to focus on computer science concepts and problem solving. The text encourages you to think as a problem solver and equips you with the tools you need to design efficient and successful programs. * Review of Chapters 2 and 3 shows a gradual and student-friendly approach that is a Horstmann trademark. * Horstmann provides extras like Quality Tips and Productivity Hints that give the user an inside track on the material. As always, there is a strong emphasis on the pragmatic and practical aspects of programming. * Carefully developed problems and easy-to-understand examples. Java Concepts is loaded with exercises and examples, and you can find the code for examples online. * The Programming Style Guide. Available online, the Programming Style Guide helps you develop a consistent style for all of your programming projects. * New to this edition is an accessible and colorful text layout that helps you find the information that you need when you need it. Other books by Cay Horstmann Big Java, Second Edition, 0-471-70615-9 Object-Oriented Design and Patterns, 0-471-31966-X Big C++ (with Timothy Budd), 0-471-47063-5 Computing Concepts with C++ Essentials, Third Edition, 0-471-16437-2
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Stay Away... Far Away!
There are lots of people dissatisfied with this book, myself included. I really don't understand how anyone can find this book cohesive, and the little bit of information you get out of it you have to dissect the text for hours to get any meaning from it. This book loves to give you code to use and not tell you what in the world it does, just that you need it. So you use it for chapters then boom, in chapter 9 your finally tells something about it. That is not constructive. The learning process does ... Read More
Rating: - Not much for your money's worth, and not much otherwise.
If you've read "The C Programming Language" and enjoyed the style of its presentation, you'll likely find this book appalling. The book is neither concise, nor lucid; you wade your way through endless explaination and come out with little understanding. I've found the examples and the presentation on Sun's website to be much easier to understand, simply because they start with a clear example, discuss it a bit, then give the details of each statement (much like Kernighan's book).
Rating: - A horrible textbook!
This text is a nightmare. Terms are poorly defined, if defined at all, and examples are few and far between. The illustrations are laughable. I've seen better graphics in nursery books written 30 years ago. If your professor assigns this text, and you're new to Java, be prepared to shell out more bucks for better sources or cruise the Internet to get the answers you need. This book won't provide them.
Rating: - Really Confusing
I use this text for an AP Computer Science course, and find it to be one of the most confusing books on the topiic of Java and Computer Science. Being in multiple APs, I obvisouly cannot read every single word and frequently have to sort out what information is relevant in a book. In most of my textbooks, this is rather easy. Horstmann's book is, however, quite the exception. The authos literally interupts his own sentences and sections with dozens of "Random facts," "Productivity Hints," "Advanced Topics," ... Read More
Rating: - Textbook Tax
An excellent intro to programming from an outstanding author and programmer. It keeps reasonably upto date with the latest java version and presentation trends (pages are so full of color that reading it reminds me of a kid's birthday party.. personally I hate it, but it seems that's the current fashion..). My only problem with this book is its price and outrageous selling strategy. This book, as well as Big C++ and Big Java sell for 80 to 90 bucks in the US, where they can be imposed to college students as ... Read More
- Stay Away... Far Away!
- Really Confusing
