Any recommendations about books for learning java?Which would be better to use Netbeans or Eclipse?

Question

I want to work with JAVA because I will be taking a class using JAVA with the netbeans IDE in the fall. I have already worked with VB.net but I am still a programming newbie. VB was really forgiving and I am still working with it too. I wanted to buy a book to start learning JAVA and wanted to know which would be good.

Answer 1

The best book as I think is at java's site

the download link is

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorialNB/download/tutorial.zip

and Its better to use Netbeans Its more user-friendly.

Answer 2

No recommendation on book, but I have tried both NetBeans 5.5 and Eclipse. (This was around February 2007.) NetBeans was the definite winner. I really liked the visual layout tool (Matisse) for building Java applications. There is a great tutorial on how to use this feature.



NetBeans is focused more on web applications, but I have been happy with it building Java desktop applications.



Eclipse did not provide the features I expected given all of the hype it has received. However, I believe a major upgrade in the visual tools is expected mid-year.

Answer 3

Head First Java is a really good one. I've taken a few classes on java and none of them used a book I like as much as that one. Plus, it's really good for anybody who's new to object oriented programming, not just people who want to learn java. The examples they use can be funny sometimes too.



And I use Netbeans. I never used Eclipse so I can't say which is better.

Answer 4

The best way to learn java that I have tried, ESPECIALLY for beginners, is the BlueJ environment, which can incorporate NetBeans. It even has a companion book, 'Objects First with Java', which is exceptional. BlueJ is 100% beginner oriented, as is the book, and focuses on developing good habits early. It doesn't assume any knowledge, and gives a good enough grounding that further study is made easy.



My Uni uses BlueJ with the textbook, and actually matches its course to the book.



BlueJ is free from www.bluej.org, as is the NetBeans component, the book is ~$100 Australian.

Answer 5

Nothing teaches better than doing. You should look into doing NRA Highpower Rifle Competition. This is 200, 300 and 600 yard shooting with open sights - no scope - using the AR-15, M1a or M1 Garrand in 'as issued' condition. The M1a is probably the best choice - most people get frustrated with the AR at 600 yards unless you are exceptionally good at reloading the new generation of 68-90gr bullets. You can visit the NRA Competitions web page and find the location, dates and times of the next event near you. Go watch one. If you show up early enough - most shooters bring extra ammo so they can take a new commer under their wings. You get 'adopted' by a group of shooters until you have all your own stuff. The books you want - are not going to be titiled Long Range Shooting - instead - they will have 'NRA Highpower Rifle' as part of the title - this is what you want to search on. You need understand - unless you handload - you are severely handicapped in long distance shooting. Even using Lake City Match and Federal Gold Medal Match ammo does not guarantee it will work well in your rifle. Good Luck

Answer 6

Two great books for folks new to Java are:

"Head First Java, 2nd Edition" by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

...and...

"Thinking in Java (4th Edition)" by Bruce Eckel



You should also check out http://javaranch.com

This is a great and very friendly site for Java newcomers.



These resources are just a start; there's a lot of material to digest before becoming a valuable Java programmer. Take a look at this site to see where to start:

http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-javares.html



I definitely recommend starting out by writing your code in a simple editor like Notepad and compiling at the command line before moving on a fully featured IDE.



That said, Netbeans is definitely a great place to start, and it seems to get better by leaps with every release. Its hard to say that one is better than the other, they're different tools for different goals.



Best of luck!

Answer 7

A pricey, but phenomenal book, is Absolute Java:



http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Java-3rd-Walter-Savitch/dp/0321487923/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3510287-2172437?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181677895&sr=8-1



It's really REALLY good. Trust me. It's worth the money.



I haven't used Eclipse, but I've heard great things about it. The other IDEs I've learned are JCreator, JBuilder, and Netbeans. JCreator is the easiest to learn out of them all, and if you are a beginner I'd recommend it (there's a free version!).