Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies

Simple and easy reading!

I've recently finished 'Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies 4th Edition' from John Wiley & Sons, inc. The book was written by Dr. Barry Burd, PhD and has a very informative and intriguing feel. Dr. Burd did a wonderful job of providing information in a clear and engaging way that leaves the reader informed and hungry for more information. It is an excellent book for those who are new to programming in general, object-oriented programming, or novices who want to learn the Java programming language. The 4th Edition walks you through Java concepts from the initial setup of Eclipse IDE to the basic concepts of Java GUI development all while keeping Java 8 in mind. The book focuses on console applications primarily as it is easier to convey the basic concepts without the GUI code. However, through Internet resources referenced in the book; readers have access to GUI examples of most of the example Console programs. The bottom line is that 'Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies 4th Edition' provides a solid base for launching into the vast world of programming. Dr. Burd's writing style will keep readers engaged and learning throughout the book. He avoids the elitist and condescending vibe that I've found in some other programming language books; and, he is quick to point out that even top-tier professional programmers aren't infallible. Personally, I'm looking forward to reading his other books and absorbing all of the knowledge he has to offer.

The book is exactly what I expected, and it arrived on time

Fantastic book. Barry explains every concept really clearly, with really good examples, broken down into clear sections. He's also very funny! And helpful too - I posted a question on his Facebook wall and he replied very quickly. Love this book!

It's a decent book for a complete beginner but I had some Java experience from a few years ago and even with that I found it very basic. Whilst it's well written, the examples are relevant and it doesn't claim to be anything it isn't, I dropped one star as I felt some of the titbit stories the author included were a bit irrelevant. all I wanted was the hard facts. Having said that I can understand that this wasn't for me but may make the whole experience of learning Java a little more interesting for others. I did and will probably continue to keep referring back to some things covered in this book from time to time. Overall a good book to start with.