News

Use Graphics to Learn Java

• By Jamison Cush
• September 27, 2005

Looking to learn Java? Try Learning Java Through Applications, a new book by Duane J. Jarc, professor of computer of science at the University of Maryland-University College. Learning Java Through Applications’ unique approach “emphasizes Java’s graphical capabilities and the ability to create graphical user interfaces,” according to its publisher.

Written in a textbook style and designed for beginner and intermediate Java programmers, Learning Java Through Applications details 15 Java programs in order of complexity, including geometric patterns, games, puzzles, number theory problems and cryptography to teach the programming language. In addition, the new features of Java 5.0 are covered, including enumerated types, for-each statements, generics, autoboxing and static imports.

The author acknowledges the problems inherent in using Java as an introductory language, specifically, “one must know a lot, just to do a little.” Learning Java Through Applications keeps it simple by avoiding the objects-and-everything-first approach that can overwhelm beginners. Starting with applets, while minding the graphical capabilities of Java, the complexity of the programs taught is incrementally increased through the chapters. The emphasis on graphics is meant to help the programmer see what they are doing.

Later chapters discuss software engineering principles, such as re-use and style consistency. The book also comes with a CD-ROM for Windows that includes the source code from the projects presented as well as all the figures and images used.

Learning Java Through Applications is available from Charles River Media and can be found at Charles River Media or Amazon.