Beginning Java 2

What is this book about?

The Java language has been growing from strength to strength since its inception in 1995. It has since proved to be both powerful and extraordinarily easy to learn and use. This is what makes it ideal for the beginner. With dramatic changes to the handling of files, and the introduction of native support for XML, Java has been updated to work faster and to be current with the incredible rise of XML as a medium for communicating data.

This edition of the Beginning Java books outlines everything the beginning programmer needs to know to program with the Java programming language and the 1.4 Java Developer Kit (JDK). With the release of JDK 1.4, programmers can look forward to the most stable edition yet, and even better performance than was available previously.

Over the course of the book, you will build an example application called Sketcher - a simple drawing tool - that teaches you how to build an interactive user interface with Java, how to save and open files, how to use color, and how to respond to user input.

What does this book cover?

• Teaches the Java language from scratch
• Object-oriented Programming in Java
• Handling errors and exceptions in applications
• Manipulating data and files
• Concurrent programming and threads
• A comprehensive introduction to Swing, the graphical user interface API for Java
• Printing in Java
• An introduction to XML

Who is this book for?

Ivor''s inimitable style has proved to be a hit with nearly half a million people with its easy to learn approach and the many useful examples. Regularly voted the most popular Java programming book, this book teaches Java from scratch and assumes no previous knowledge. It is also suitable for those who have got some programming experience, especially C or C++, which will make learning easier.

"In all the years I have been programming and teaching people about computers, I have never come across a language that offers the power and flexibility of Java and all for free! Java is an extraordinarily easy language to learn and use, and is ideal for the beginner.

With the latest edition of Java, some things are a lot easier, but the new and improved classes mean you can do so much more! Whether it’s creating graphic rich and interactive web pages or creating full-featured Windows applications, you can do it with Java. With my book you can learn Java plus the techniques you need for success with your own projects.

Nothing worthwhile is achieved without effort. You’ll need to put in the work and have the ambition to succeed when the going gets tough. If you have commitment, I can help you become a competent Java programmer."

Who is this book for

This book is for anyone who wants to learn to create real-world applications with Java. The Beginning Java series has proven popular with over 150,000 people with its tutorial format. The numerous step-by-step examples provide you with an understanding of the ins and outs of programming with Java.

We assume no previous programming experience, although progress will be easier if you have programmed before. Either way, you’ll soon become an expert in creating your own Java programs.

What this book will teach you

This book will teach you all you need to know to start programming in Java. This latest edition of my series teaches Java with the Java 2 SDK 1.4; a free Software Development Kit for creating Java applications.

• The code is designed and tested for use with the latest SDK – J2SDK 1.4.
• Teaches the Java language from scratch.
• Handling Errors and Exceptions in applications.
• Manipulating data and files.
• Concurrent programming and Threads.
• Comprehensive introduction to Swing, the Graphical User Interface API for Java. We will learn both about standalone applications and applets: embedded Java programs for web pages.
• Large GUI example: We will create a program called Sketcher: a simple drawing tool for making sketches. We will learn how to save sketches to and load sketches from files, use color in our applications, and respond to user input.
• Printing in Java.
• Now included: an introduction to XML – an exciting technology for representing data. We will modify the sketcher application to use XML.

Ivor Horton has extensive experience of programming and large-scale systems implementation in a wide range of industrial environments. He has in-depth knowledge and experience of production scheduling and online control systems, computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, as well diverse engineering and scientific applications. He''s also taught programming in a variety of languages to engineering and scientific personnel primarily in aerospace and automotive companies. After countless years in the computer industry both doing and managing, Ivor now writes on programming topics for relaxation. When not relaxing, he takes an interest in cosmology, cacti, chaos, and cameras, and does a little editing and criticising of other peoples'' efforts on the side.