Recommendations on java beginner books

[uneven dragon]

I want a recommendation on a java book that I can read as a beginner.

[small matrix]

<@&987246399047479336> please have a look, thanks.

Here is an AI assisted attempt to answer your question 🤖. Maybe it helps! In any case, a human is on the way 👍. To continue talking to the AI, you can use </chatgpt:1108714622413963314>.

Here are some highly recommended Java books for beginners:

1. "Head First Java" by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates: This book is known for its unique teaching style, using visual aids, puzzles, and real-life examples to help beginners grasp the concepts of Java programming.

2. "Java: A Beginner's Guide" by Herbert Schildt: This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Java programming, covering all the fundamental topics in a clear and concise manner.

3. "Thinking in Java" by Bruce Eckel: This book focuses on teaching the thought process behind Java programming, helping beginners understand the language's core concepts and design principles.

4. "Java Programming for Beginners" by Mark Lassoff: This beginner-friendly book offers step-by-step guidance on learning Java programming from scratch, with hands-on exercises and practical examples.

5. "Java in Easy Steps" by Mike McGrath: This book is designed for absolute beginners, providing a simple and easy-to-follow approach to learning Java programming.

6. "Java For Dummies" by Barry Burd: As part of the popular "For Dummies" series, this book offers a beginner-friendly introduction to Java programming with clear explanations and practical examples.

Remember that reading alone may not be sufficient to become proficient in Java programming. It is essential to practice coding exercises and work on real-world projects alongside your reading journey.

[rancid cairn]

Hey there

I recommend Oracle Certification Pro Guide for Java 17

It helps to get a solid understanding about jvm, syntax, operators, code blocks, core APIs and more

[twilit plume]

good resource, but not really beginner friendly

id recommend head first java

[rancid cairn]

Hmm i heard about that collection

I think its better yes

[rapid wraith]

the ocp is also not for people wanting to learn coding

its for people wanting to learn java the language itself. it's mostly interesting for jvm and compiler people

and advanced java programmers who want to expand their knowledge in that direction

its like u want to learn how to drive a car and instead of going into a driving school u get urself a book about the mercedes family, their history, philosophy and what differentiates their engines from other cars

[rancid cairn]

The guy asked for a Java book

I gave it to them

But yeah, it's not a beginner friendly, not like Head First

I think ocp helps to learn effective coding (with java)

There are tons of coding tricks within it

Also, it can help understand what other languages do or have

[atomic sparrow]

Search here too: https://www.dbooks.org/

[lean oxide]

head first java is indeed a much better beginner resource

and there's also

[small matrix]

MOOC is a completely free introductory Java course created by the University of Helsinki, it is a great way to learn Java from the ground up.

It consists of two parts, one at beginner, and another at intermediate level. The end of the course is marked by creating your own Asteroids game clone!

Even though the instructions show how to configure and use NetBeans for the course, you can use IntelliJ. To use IntelliJ, simply install the TMC plugin by opening IntelliJ -> File -> Settings -> Plugins and searching for TMC. You will then be able to use IntelliJ to complete MOOC.

Visit MOOC here: https://java-programming.mooc.fi/
(the course is available in both English and Finnish)

simon_verhoeven • used /tag id: mooc · Jan 4, 2024, 6:39 AM

About the course - Java Programming

About the course - Java Programming

[uneven dragon]

Hey!

Actually I asked my teacher for beginner Java and he gave me these 2 fat books called “Java Programming: From the Ground Up” and “Java Concepts 6th Edition”

I mean I asked him for java for dummies

[lean oxide]

please do yourself a favour and don't

that second book is from 2013

that's Java 7 time. we're at 21

[uneven dragon]

What about the 1st book?

[lean oxide]

2009... Older can still be good but you want 8 minimally

Go for heads first java or the mooc course

[uneven dragon]

Holy smokes, head first java is expensive

I just checked it

[lean oxide]

Don't get into IT for the cheap books 😄

[uneven dragon]

I guess you could say that i'm still considered a kid? Idk I gotta ask my parents

[uneven dragon]

True!

[lean oxide]

if it's not for school really just go for the mooc course.

[uneven dragon]

Alright!

I just wanted to take books approach

Although i'll try mooc's course.

[lean oxide]

I like the book approach, but the wallet has to be willing 😉

and the course can get you a feeling for whether you like it, the book'll still be there

[uneven dragon]

Okay, thank you so much!

[lean oxide]

I agree with FirasRG that the OCP guide will get you a very thorough understanding, but it's not the most beginner friendly book.

[uneven dragon]

When its a quiz, we get tested based on small details. I think I need a very thorough understanding.

[lean oxide]

Not OCP level 😉 And if it's for a course, does your class not have a handbook?

[uneven dragon]

I know some of the books are getting ordered, but we weren't given handbooks yet.

[lean oxide]

Back when I was in college an older version of head first was also my handbook

[uneven dragon]

Oh, so it was also used in college.

[lean oxide]

yes

And to be honest, if your teacher is giving you java 7 books the OCP book might not even be that useful. The newer editions remove some bits that are no longer deemed important from the ancient versions.

[uneven dragon]

I see.

[rancid cairn]

Well in OCA 8 and 7 book, there are fundemantals about Java 7

But still, for Java 7 or lower or

Id recommened somthing else

But i highly recommend to tell your teacher to wake up

https://tenor.com/view/wake-up-sgt-hulka-stripes-gif-22955830

[lean oxide]

Oh sure, I just meant not the 17 one 😉

[uneven dragon]

I mean, these were the only books that he had. And he was kind enough to let me borrow them (he's not supposed to).

[lean oxide]

If it was 8 I could at least somewhat get it, but 7?

[rancid cairn]

I was stuck in v8 2 years ago

my java team was unaware of java 11 or 17

I tried so hard to migrate and convince the whole team

[uneven dragon]

I need to search up these terms real quick to understand what's going on.

[lean oxide]

With a lot of major frameworks moving the baseline to 17 it'll hopefully speed up

and OpenRewrite can help you migrate @rancid cairn

OCA = Oracle Certified Associate (exam before OCP)

[rancid cairn]

Sounds cool

[uneven dragon]

I'm talking about Java 7 8 etc

What do the numbers represent

[rancid cairn]

New version

[uneven dragon]

For real?

🧌

[rancid cairn]

Sure

[lean oxide]

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Java_version_history

[rancid cairn]

It's common in many languages

[lean oxide]

At least Java stays backward compatible for the major part

[twilit plume]

check it out at a library

[uneven dragon]

Online library?

[twilit plume]

if thats available to you, yeah. i usually check out books online, but pick them up in person

[uneven dragon]

That's my only choice, i'm in a rural area that's barely managing.

[lean oxide]

you could check Amazon for a cheap version of the older ones. https://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Java-Kathy-Sierra/dp/0596009208/

I saw some cheap 2nd hand ones

[uneven dragon]

I'll wait for the ones provided from school.