Head First Java, a peculiar learning style

A different style of learning

Due to a justifiable reputation for being difficult to learn, the Java programming language has long been in need of a training course that can ease the journey. By taking an engaging comic book approach that combines quirky artwork with a clever teaching style, the authors of Head First Java provide an easy-to-understand solution to the java education problem.

A fully featured Java training course

Although simplistic in presentation, Head First Java is a fast-paced book. After presenting an early introduction to the features of object-oriented programming, the author moved quickly to link Java with the applications of encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. The book addresses the GUI programming front, network programming, midi sequencing, and java library command lines. Although sometimes limited in content, the range of topic coverage is considerable. Each reader will close the final pages with a working base on the Java application.

Advantages

Head First Java is aimed at experienced programmers. The material, as presented, assumes that the student has a reasonable familiarity with several basic programming topics. However, the approach applied to learning is intuitive in nature, almost equivalent to a child’s play on words. The difficult components of the object-oriented programming design model are laid out in easy-to-understand byte-sized chunks. Concepts like inheritance and polymorphism take on a new aspect of clarity for the reader. Even the beginning programming student can benefit from this book.

Disadvantages

Though clever 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 nailed it.

end points

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

Pick up the book, apply your wisdom to the challenge of learning Java, and have fun with the illustrations to get started. Follow along with examples, practice, and cheesy banter as Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates reduce the Java coding language to a manageable and usable design tool.