Head First Java, a Peculiar Style of Learning

Written by Bijou Lane on 16 Jun 2010

A Different Style of Learning

Due to a justifiable reputation for being difficult to learn, the java programming language has long needed a training course that could ease the journey. By adopting an interesting comic book approach that mixes peculiar art works with a clever teaching style, the authors of Head First Java provide an easy to grasp solution to the java education problem.

A Full Featured Java Training Course

Though simplistic in presentation, Head First Java is a fast paced book. After presenting an early introduction into the features of object-oriented programming, the author’s move quick to link java into the applications of encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. The book addresses the GUI programming front, network programming, midi sequencing, and the command lines of the java library. Though sometimes limited in content, the range of topic coverage is considerable. Every reader will close the final pages with a workable foundation in java application.

Advantages

Head First Java targets experienced programmers. The material, as presented, assumes that the student possesses a reasonable familiarity with several basic programming topics. Yet the applied approach to learning is intuitive in nature, almost equivalent to a child’s word game. The difficult components of the object-oriented programming design model are exposed in easy to understand byte sized nuggets. Concepts like inheritance and polymorphism take on a new aspect of reader clarity. Even the beginner programming student can profit from this book.

Disadvantages

While resourceful and helpful, the strange teaching methods used by the authors of Head First Java are sometimes offensive in nature. If crude mannerism has become a necessary component of effective teaching, Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates have hit the mark.

Final Points

The teaching style used in Head First Java resides outside the world of mundane education. The book, though at times crude, is generally acknowledged as a “fun” read that successfully accomplishes its primary purpose. It teaches the student how to effectively apply the java programming language.

Acquire the book, apply its wisdom to the challenge of learning Java, and have some fun with the illustrations to boot. Follow along through example, practice, and corny jokes as Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates reduce the java coding language into a manageable and usable designer’s tool.

thomas devos have 8 years java programming experience. first head java [http://myfavoritejavabooks.com/java-beginner/first-head-java-review] is the best java book [http://myfavoritejavabooks.com] for beginners he highly recommands.