Schildt - Java: a beginners guide

ORACLE Oracle Press

Java: A Beginners Guide

Fifth Edition

About the Author

Top-selling author Herbert Schildt is an authority on the Java, C++, C, and C# languages. His programming books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into all major foreign languages. He is the author of numerous books on Java, including Java: The Complete Reference, Herb Schildts Java Programming Cookbook, Swing: A Beginners Guide, and The Art of Java. Among his other bestsellers are C++: The Complete Reference, C#: The Complete Reference, and C: The Complete Reference. Although he is interested in all facets of computing, his primary focus is computer languages, including compilers, interpreters, and robotic control languages. He also has an active interest in the standardization of languages. Schildt holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Illinois. He can be reached at his consulting office at (217) 586-4683. His web site is www.HerbSchildt.com .

About the Technical Editor

Dr. Danny Coward has been a contributor to the Java Platforms since 1997. He was a founding member of the Java EE group while at Sun. He has served as a member of the Java Community Process Executive Committee and has been a leading contributor to all editions of the Java Platform: Java SE, Java ME, and Java EE. He also established the original JavaFX team.

ORACLE Oracle Press

Fifth Edition

Herbert Schildt

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ISBN: 978-0-07-160633-2
MHID: 0-07-160633-5

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Java is one of the worlds most important and widely used computer programming languages because it is the preeminent language of the Internet. To be a professional Web developer today implies proficiency in Java. Therefore, if Web application programming is in your future, you have chosen the right language to learn. Java is also part of the smartphone revolution because it is used for Android programming. Simply put: Java programming is at the foundation of much of the modern world of computing.

The purpose of this book is to teach you the fundamentals of Java programming. It uses a step-by-step approach complete with numerous examples, self-tests, and projects. It assumes no previous programming experience. The book starts with the basics, such as how to compile and run a Java program. It then discusses the keywords, features, and constructs that form the core of the Java language. Youll also find coverage of some of Javas most advanced features, including multithreaded programming and generics. An introduction to Swing concludes the book. By the time you finish, you will have a firm grasp of the essentials of Java programming.

It is important to state at the outset that this book is just a starting point. Java is more than just the elements that define the language. Java also includes extensive libraries and tools that aid in the development of programs. To be a top-notch Java programmer implies mastery of these areas, too. After completing this book you will have the knowledge to pursue any and all other aspects of Java.

Only a few languages have fundamentally reshaped the very essence of programming. In this elite group, one stands out because its impact was both rapid and widespread. This language is, of course, Java. It is not an overstatement to say that the original release of Java 1.0 in 1995 by Sun Microsystems, Inc., caused a revolution in programming. This revolution radically transformed the Web into a highly interactive environment. In the process, Java set a new standard in computer language design.