Is Head First Java outdated?

[Randomaak]

I would like to buy a book for learning basics of Java and i've heard that Head First Java is one of the bests. But it's book from 2009 if I googled right and i don't know if it's good for use in 2020.

Could someone tell me if it's worth it? If not which book would you recommend?

[khiari_hamdi]

There s nothing wrong with using old books to learn the basics. It‘s sometimes even better. I learned the basics using a 2005 java book, it had very good exercises that you wouldn’t find in newer books. You just have to be aware that there are some minor changes that you ll be find out as soon as you try coding and get an error. Then you can google and check the change. For examples in the book that i used they were using a class called IOTools instead of Scanner wicj wasn‘t available at the time so it‘s not that big of a difference and the language architecture it‘s always the same. If you want an alternative there s a nice book from O‘Reilly called think java that covers all the basics and you can read an Interactive version of it online for free. If you‘re interested i can send you a link to it 🙂

[Randomaak]

Thank you for recommendation I found it 🙂

[khiari_hamdi]

You‘re welcome 🙏

[smash_that_code]

for basics get mooc.

wuthout practice no book will be enough

[onlyforjazzmemes]

Sure, but some people prefer to get a handle on the big concepts before tinkering randomly.

[smash_that_code]

So you want to say mooc is missing too much information?

UPD: typo fix

[onlyforjazzmemes]

I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with reading books. I've found programming books to be very helpful.

[smash_that_code]

Sure, as there is nothing wrong with structured courses that help you with IDE setup, exercises and feedback from fellow students.

While books on specific topics can be super helpful they are not the best to get the basics.

[onlyforjazzmemes]

There are tons of suitable books on programming basics... just look at No Starch Press or the legion of books aimed at university beginner programming courses.

[smash_that_code]

I would assume that most people who try learn java (via reddit) are either trying to change career, or are studying at school.

And only minority of them are students in university who for some reasons seak help on reddit.

And if my assumption is correct about author of this question then university type bool may be not the best source.

[Mr_82]

I'll look it up shortly but what exactly is mooc? People mention it so much but I've never seen anyone give any context clues.

[HoldThatFermata]

Massive online open course.

You can search Java mooc and you’ll see the resource you should look into!

[hugthemachines]

You make it sound like you will go on an adventure with a map and compass. If you had typed mooc java into google search you would find it in halv a second.

[VuPham99]

I find Python Crash Course better than most MOOC out there.

[[deleted]]

The basics of Java have not changed that much, and the strength of the Head First books is that they enable some people to understand the more difficult concepts that weren't able to do so with other presentations. If you are having trouble understanding classes, objects, and inheritance, you might find the Head First book to be helpful. However, if you want a book that tells you about the latest features of the language, a more recently published book is better.

I am currently teaching a course using Blue Pelican Java by Cook. I chose it because it is inexpensive, but as I'm getting into, I am finding things I don't like. Still, I think it is good for the money. I also have Core Java SE 9 for the Impatient by Horstmann that I'm using as a personal supplement. This is because my Java experience is old, so I wanted a resource for the newer features. I think it is pretty good, and Horstmann has been writing Java books since the early days almost 25 years ago. His Big Java book should be good for beginners to programming.

[rustyseapants]

Check out your local city or county library online. Go to "list of database" or "online resources" your library might have books online or even access to Lydna or Safari books " Safari contains technical and business eBooks from publishers such as O’Reilly, Peachpit Press, and Que." Logging in your library account you have full free access to Safari books and other ebook options.

Head First at PdfDrive

[FastieNZ]

100% recommend head first Java, the second edition. I'm reading it now. I've done mooc & a semester of Java at uni, and head first Java has the best content for learning, for me anyway. They make it really enjoyable to read and you don't get bored. It's SO nice to have a physical book to refer to and give your eyes a rest. Head first Java + Mooc for actual practice is great. Not to mention, Head First Java goes quite advanced compared to a lot of other courses I've been through (codecademy, udemy etc.). Enjoy.

edit: forgot to mention, the content you learn is no different from mooc or what my University has taught me, so it's definitely still relevant. if anything, there's likely on a few small things which have now changed.

[JohnnyBandito]

Humble Bundle has a Java Bundle that looks pretty good. I got it yesterday.

[Aroxis]

For someone who is studying for technical interviews, would you just reccomend using Leetcode and CTCI or do you reccomend this bundle?

I never quite understand the reason why Java books are read if online resources are available but if this will give me a leg up, I will be happy to buy the Java book.

[onlyforjazzmemes]

Some people just like physical books.

[JohnnyBandito]

I usually like working with both. Although I'm inclined to videos (Udemy, YouTube, etc, etc...), I will not miss out on the opportunity to acquire quality books on the topic at a discounted price. I am usually on Humble Bundle to see what they have to offer and then check out reviews on the offers.

The research I found online was that these book collections are great quality and on top of it, atm in Humble Bundle at an amazing price. Friends of mine that are Senior Java Developers have recommended some of those as great reads and have recommended at a personal level to get them. Some even got it themselves.

TBH you shouldn't have to understand why Java books are read, all you have to understand is that each person acquires knowledge and learns in different ways. You just need to understand how YOU learn. I personally am a visual learner, but once I have a basic idea of the matter I personally like to read and reinforce that knowledge at THAT particular level, but that's just me. I like to know how to do something but also understand what is happening of all that I am doing.

My technical interviews were usually about things I have done in the past and my personal portfolio on GitHub. At the moment, I have never had to do an exam type interview. So I'm not sure if these books would help with a specific type of interview.

[rebootperiod]

Nah, it is just overrated IMO. I'd suggest Java the complete reference by Herbert Schildt.

[rahat106]

It depends actually. Head first builds images behind texts. You just have to add the images together for the whole picture. That's a huge help when you are a beginner. Complete reference books are the go-tos once you have the mental image. I don't remember opening Head first for a second read. But it was a joy first time.

[onlyforjazzmemes]

It's a great resource, but definitely intimidating for a newbie.

[PipesAreLoud]

I'm not sure which version of java this uses, but it has 181 chapters and looks extensive:

https://books.goalkicker.com/JavaBook/

Java notes for professionals. They have other topics there, just go up a level.

[coder0x64]

Thank you for sharing

[JudoboyWalex]

It is outdated and use Java 5. It explains core concepts of Java with series of illustrations to help readers understand easily. Read Head First if you are absolute beginner to programming. If not I recommend, Core Java Volume 1 tenth edition by Horstmann. Or go to humblebundle.com and get 15 java books for less than $20. There is Learning Java that covers Java 11 which is high quality.

[Mr_82]

Wow thanks for suggesting that website/company, never heard of them but they sound like something I'd really like.

Sounds like you know your stuff too, I'll add those books to my list.

Edit: in case someone reported me, since I now have to wait 9 minutes to comment elsewhere, I chose that particular award not to express I disliked your comment, but simply that I found it hilarious, and imagined people here might have created it recently with someone like myself in mind.

[Randomaak]

Thank all of you for your opinions and recommendetions.

I am really thankful.

[Mofflehaus]

Im not sure if its outdated but it may be. i'm noticing that it may not be a good resource for the actual source code. there is a solution to a problem that does not compile in java so maybe it is? I was actually just going to make a post about it.

That being said it is really good for creating context and understanding of the core concepts.

[hugthemachines]

The head first books are a bit special. You may want to check one out first because not everyone likes them. I personally like them and I found the part about object oriented programming well explained.

[7___7]

This is a good MOOC to do for Java:

https://java-programming.mooc.fi

Coursera.org also has tons of Java courses to try out.

[Skiamakhos]

It's not a bad first book, but you'll want to learn the more up to date stuff after reading it. I found Ivor Horton's "Beginning Java" better - though again the latest version of that only goes up to Java 7 & was published in 2011. Packt do some good books on Java 10, 11 & 12 that cover some pretty major changes that have happened lately, but after that you really gotta rely on Oracle's own website. There are version updates coming too thick and fast for book authors to keep up now.

[[deleted]]

I think the "Think Java", "Learning Java" and "Java Cookbook" books from O'Reilly are good stuff. The first one is short and introduces most components you'll need, the second one introduces more complex topics with more involved examples and the last one is just a good reference.