Rating:  - Excellent piece of work
I have read many IT-related books, both practical and theoretical,
but never have I encountered one with such a perfect balance. Easy to read and follow.
All the new facts are throughly explained and demonstrated.
Great tips and reminders that for once is useful. The code snippets are written with
syntax highlightning thus they are very easy to follow.
This book doesn't asume you're a wise programmer, but it transforms you into one.
Rating: - Perfect book for beginners
I am new to Java and found the Deitel book perfect to get a good understanding of Java. It takes a lot of time to read, but is worth the effort. I'd highly recommend it.
Rating:  - Nice guide to Java and OOP
I purchased Java (5th ed) How to Program and wanted to say it's an invaluable reference. I'm fairly new to object-oriented programming and it's really helped me out. I plan to purchase C++ How to Program and would have purchased Visual Basic 6 if it weren't pink (ugh).
But the Java book in this series is great.
Rating:  - Hard to find information
It is hard for me to imagine how they managed to publish four editions before this book. The index is terrible; it frequently refers to pages that then refer you to other pages for more information. The index should refer you to the primary location in the first place, and maybe other locations as an after-thought, not the other way around.
The overall format of the book also seems to be haphazard, as if the authors did not know which direction to pursue. Granted, there is a lot of information, but it is difficult to decipher.
I have enjoyed other Deitel&Deitel programming books, and was looking forward to reviewing this one. However, now that I have, I can not recommend it.
Rating: - Solutions to self-lerners
THE CASE:
This review is most intended to the readers who have unfortunately bought Deitel: Java How To Program, and Sams: Teach Yourself Java 2 in 21 Days. Because if you already unfortunately bought them, you'll might not want to spend your money more on other Java programming books. I think that it's better to use the resources that we already have, rather than to buy another books about Java, coz' you'll end up just the same. And if I were you, I won't blame the authors, coz' I think that they are just like the rests of us, who have different ways of thinking, and also have unique ways to explain something.
WHAT MY REVIEW BASES ON:
1. I wrote this review based on my experiences after I read "Deitel: Java How To Program 5th Edition" and "Sams: Teach Yourself Java 2 in 21 Days",
2. And based also from other reviews which written by other reviewers about both books.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PROGRAMMING BOOKS:
1. "Many programming books out there should not be used alone.". And if you are in mentioned case above, let's make it to be an advantage. We'll combine the power of Deitels and the power of Sams together.
2. Nobody can learn something new so fast. First the Concepts, then the Practices to make you a master.
SOLUTIONS OF THE CASE:
Read for the first "Sams: Teach Yourself Java in 21 Days", and then the "Deitels: Java How to Program". Deitels explains you more about how to write programs in Java, instead of the concepts of OOP and Java 2. In other side, Sams explains more about the concepts of OOP and Java 2. Or you can read them together, but that would be a paint in the neck.
You can forget about what they said for marketing and not based on researches, like: "You would be able to write or build programs in Java in only 21 Days". And you can ignore about what they said: "This book will boost you with Java in no time", or something like that. Coz' the fact depends on many factors, such as times, ability to understand, motivation, etc.....
And finally, this both books are for Java beginners and self-lerners recommended, who are self-motivated. But in the mentioned Case above, still the decision is upon you, whether you decided to buy another book of Java, or try the solution mentioned above. But I can tell you for sure, it has worked for me, and I am a self-lerner.
Hope this help, coz' there are so many confusing positives and negatives reviews about these both books. And good luck !
Regards,
Chris
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