OBJECTS FIRST WITH JAVA - A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION USING BLUJ

Its close integration with the BlueJ development environment allows this book to focus on key aspects of object-oriented software development from day one. BlueJ's clear visualization of classes and objects means that students can immediately appreciate the differences between them, and gain a much better understanding of the nature of an object than they would from simply reading source code. Unlike traditional textbooks, the chapters are not ordered by language features but by software development concepts. Language features are introduced as a response to the problems to be solved. A large number of different, interesting projects are used to provide variety and avoid the monotony of a running problem. The authors avoid the dangers of trying to teach all there is to know about each topic by using a spiral approach - introducing topics in a simple context early on and then revisiting later to deepen understanding. Throughout, the emphasis is on developing a practical approach to programming, with students encouraged to add code to existing programs rather than working with an intimidating sheet of blank paper.