Can anyone give me good Java literature recommendations? I''m going into a Java based project and need to ramp up. I''m pretty good with both C++ and OO so I don''t need a totally brain dead intro. I''m looking for a good read and something that will give me nice foundation to start coding with. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Sieggy

Hi,

I like the Core Java 2 Books. There are two volumes, for a combined total of ~1650 pages. They have tons of stuff, and start from the beginning, though previous programming knowledge is assumed. Both come with CD''s with the source code and some other stuff, though I haven''t use them. I like the examples. I got these books wanting to really learn java after already having experience with C/C++ and a myriad of other technologies. I use them primarily as reference material. Additionally, I use the JFC''s online documentation extensively:

java.sun.com

BTW, these books are put out by Sun.

Volume 1 ISBN: 0-13-081933-6
Volume 2 ISBN: 0-13-081934-4

These ones are through jdk 1.2. I know that they have a newer release out for 1.3, but you may be able to find these used for cheap somewhere. 1.3 is mainly new classes in the JFC, better implementation for some huge speed-ups, and I believe a bunch of new swing stuff (so if you''ll be using swing heavily get the new ones). Those are just the differences I know about/utilize regularly.

Oh yeah, the books also have little hint boxes for differences between C++ and VB, so thats helpful with your previous knowledge. Goodluck.

--OctDev

Just reading through the api from time to time and looking up stuff as you need it is what I do

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/api/overview-summary.html

Java by Example by Que is wonderful, except my copy of the book is java 1.1 not 2