Beginning Java 2

This is the second edition of Ivor Horton's best-selling Beginning Java . It has been fully revised for the Java 2 platform and now covers the Java Foundation Classes (Swing and Java2D) and the Collections API.
The Java 2 platform is an important stage in the evolution of Java as a serious programming tool. There are no substantial changes to the language - instead JavaSoft have focussed on extending class library support for common programming tasks.
Assuming no knowledge of Java, and making only basic assumptions of prior programming experience, Ivor teaches the Java language from scratch and then shows you how to use some of the comprehensive packages that make up the Java platform. A key part of this is the iterative development of a large graphical example over several chapters.
This is the self-study guide for Java. Its structured tutorial approach means that each chapter and each section within a chapter builds on those that have gone before. Theory is accompanied by a fully working example, and an explanation of how it works.
Ivor Horton on Java
"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.
In the last year, Java as a development tool has matured significantly and the capability of the class libraries has expanded immensely (the number of classes in the JDK 1.2 has tripled over JDK 1.1). Some things are a lot easier, but the new and improved classes mean you can do so much more! Whether it's animating your web pages, creating full-featured windows applications or accessing a database, you can do it with Java. With my book you can learn Java plus the techniques you need for success with you own projects."