📖 Overview
Java How to Program is a comprehensive programming textbook that teaches Java from fundamentals to advanced concepts. The book follows a practical approach with numerous code examples, exercises, and real-world applications.
Each chapter builds systematically on previous material, covering object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, GUI development, and database connectivity. The text includes special sections on software engineering principles, debugging techniques, and best coding practices.
The book incorporates hands-on case studies and self-review exercises that allow readers to test their understanding of key concepts. Code samples are annotated with detailed explanations and accompanied by sample outputs to illustrate program behavior.
This text serves as both an introductory guide and a reference manual, emphasizing clean coding practices and professional software development techniques. The underlying focus on problem-solving skills and structured programming methodology makes it relevant for both students and working professionals.
👀 Reviews
Readers value this textbook's detailed explanations and abundance of code examples. Many beginners appreciate how concepts build on each other progressively, with one Amazon reviewer noting "it starts from scratch and explains everything step by step."
Positive points:
- Comprehensive coverage of Java fundamentals
- Many practical exercises and examples
- Clear explanations of object-oriented concepts
- Good for self-study
Common criticisms:
- Too verbose and repetitive
- Examples can be overly complex
- Large physical size (1,000+ pages)
- Some outdated content in older editions
- High price point
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.4/5 from 486 reviews
Goodreads: 4.0/5 from 1,248 ratings
Several reviewers mention the book's wordiness slows down learning. One Goodreads review states "could have been half the length without losing substance." Some readers recommend skimming certain sections while focusing on the code examples and exercises.
Most effective as a reference book or structured learning tool rather than a quick guide.
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Core Java Volume I - Fundamentals by Cay S. Horstmann This text provides in-depth coverage of Java fundamentals with practical examples that complement Deitel's comprehensive approach.
Introduction to Java Programming and Data Structures by Y. Daniel Liang The book follows a similar progression to Deitel's text, moving from basic concepts to advanced topics with numerous programming exercises.
Java: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt This reference guide covers Java programming from basics to advanced features with detailed explanations that expand on Deitel's teachings.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Paul Deitel began his career as a computer science professor at Boston College before founding Deitel & Associates, Inc., which has trained over 250,000 programmers worldwide.
🔷 "Java How to Program" is one of the most widely adopted programming textbooks in colleges globally, having been translated into 14 languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
🔷 The book pioneered the "live-code approach," where concepts are taught using complete, working programs rather than code fragments, influencing how programming is taught today.
🔷 Each new edition of the book undergoes extensive academic review by a panel of over 100 industry professionals and academics to ensure accuracy and relevance.
🔷 The first edition was published in 1996, shortly after Java's initial release, making it one of the earliest comprehensive Java programming textbooks available.