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Learn Java the Easy Way: A Hands-On Introduction to Programming
Java is the world's most popular programming language, but it's known for having a steep learning curve. Learn Java the Easy Way takes the chore out of learning Java with hands-on projects that will get you building real, functioning apps right away.
You'll start by familiarizing yourself with JShell, Java's interactive command line shell that allows programmers to run single lines of code and get immediate feedback. Then, you'll create a guessing game, a secret message encoder, and a multitouch bubble-drawing app for both desktop and mobile devices using Eclipse, an industry-standard IDE, and Android Studio, the development environment for making Android apps.
As you build these apps, you'll learn how
-Perform calculations, manipulate text strings, and generate random colors
-Use conditions, loops, and methods to make your programs responsive and concise
-Create functions to reuse code and save time
-Build graphical user interface (GUI) elements, including buttons, menus, pop-ups, and sliders
-Take advantage of Eclipse and Android Studio features to debug your code and find, fix, and prevent common mistakes
If you've been thinking about learning Java, Learn Java the Easy Way will bring you up to speed in no time.
You'll start by familiarizing yourself with JShell, Java's interactive command line shell that allows programmers to run single lines of code and get immediate feedback. Then, you'll create a guessing game, a secret message encoder, and a multitouch bubble-drawing app for both desktop and mobile devices using Eclipse, an industry-standard IDE, and Android Studio, the development environment for making Android apps.
As you build these apps, you'll learn how
-Perform calculations, manipulate text strings, and generate random colors
-Use conditions, loops, and methods to make your programs responsive and concise
-Create functions to reuse code and save time
-Build graphical user interface (GUI) elements, including buttons, menus, pop-ups, and sliders
-Take advantage of Eclipse and Android Studio features to debug your code and find, fix, and prevent common mistakes
If you've been thinking about learning Java, Learn Java the Easy Way will bring you up to speed in no time.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
33 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 19, 2017
I had read “Teach your Kids to Code” by the same author and expected “Learn Java the Easy Way” to be similar. It's not focused on young children. While “Learn Java the Easy Way” is certainly readable by middle schoolers. I think the target audience of the book is either older students or adults who don't have a coding background.
There's a lot of emphasis on games. Both with programs like MadLibs and by experiment with making changes to the code. There's also a lot of emphasis on user interfaces for both Java and Android.
The author explains some concepts like user experience as he goes. He covers jshell for quick learning which is good early on. He even covers how to produce a runnable jar. The book starts with easy programming concepts and advances to more complex ones as it goes through the chapters.
The book says it covers Java 8 and 9. That's sort of true. It covers how to run the examples with Java 8 and 9. And it does use JShell from Java 9. I didn't spot any actual Java 8 syntax. That might have been because the syntax was so basic. For example, the book used close at the end of a try rather than in a try with resources (or even finally.)
So I wouldn't recommend this book for someone who wants to become a professional programmer. But I would definitely recommend it for someone who wants to start coding and get the lay of the land.
He also plugs the companion Udemy course a lot. Sometimes this is helpful – the preview/setup videos are free. Sometimes it feels like a sales pitch.
I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars.
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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing this review on behalf of CodeRanch.
There's a lot of emphasis on games. Both with programs like MadLibs and by experiment with making changes to the code. There's also a lot of emphasis on user interfaces for both Java and Android.
The author explains some concepts like user experience as he goes. He covers jshell for quick learning which is good early on. He even covers how to produce a runnable jar. The book starts with easy programming concepts and advances to more complex ones as it goes through the chapters.
The book says it covers Java 8 and 9. That's sort of true. It covers how to run the examples with Java 8 and 9. And it does use JShell from Java 9. I didn't spot any actual Java 8 syntax. That might have been because the syntax was so basic. For example, the book used close at the end of a try rather than in a try with resources (or even finally.)
So I wouldn't recommend this book for someone who wants to become a professional programmer. But I would definitely recommend it for someone who wants to start coding and get the lay of the land.
He also plugs the companion Udemy course a lot. Sometimes this is helpful – the preview/setup videos are free. Sometimes it feels like a sales pitch.
I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars.
---
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing this review on behalf of CodeRanch.
June 21, 2022
Java was my first-ever programming language, so this was good refresher.
A lot of this book I knew already well, as I have a good memory. But this is a good book and one I would recommend reading if you want to learn Java!
Good one!
4.4/5
A lot of this book I knew already well, as I have a good memory. But this is a good book and one I would recommend reading if you want to learn Java!
Good one!
4.4/5
July 5, 2021
This book serves as a good primer or refreshing for the the Java programming language
It also covers all three application platforms: console, desktop, and mobile by delivering a hands-on approach through projects.
However, it doesn't deliver an in-depth discussion of the specialties of the language, so if you are looking for this aspect, it's better to look somewhere else
It also covers all three application platforms: console, desktop, and mobile by delivering a hands-on approach through projects.
However, it doesn't deliver an in-depth discussion of the specialties of the language, so if you are looking for this aspect, it's better to look somewhere else
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews