book suggestion?

[lord_pwnerer]

Does anybody have a good suggestion for a book that I could learn Java from? I'm not new to programming just to java, so hopefully not a very very begginner one.

[lord_pwnerer]

By the way, just incase it's any help, I'm using the Holt "ready to program" compiler

[wtd]

Not to toot my own horn too much, but...

http://compsci.ca/v2/viewtopic.php?t=9576

[Tony]

wtd's introduction to Java is an excellent resource.

and HoltSoft's "ready to program" has got to be one of the worst approaches to Java. Ever.

Get Sun's (seeing as they've made the language) javac - command-line compilers will do you wonders.

[lord_pwnerer]

Thanks, I'll be sure to do that, I just ordered the "Introduction to programming in Java" I hope it's not a bad book, I'll be sure to read that tutorial, looks great when I skimmed through it, Thanks!

[lord_pwnerer]

Oh yeah, not to be rude or anything, but I was just wondering, what's the difference between HoltSoft's and Sun's, I mean sure Sun Microsystems developped the language, but don't both compilers compile code? I mean how far can you take a compiler so that it's "A better approach". Not saying that you're wrong seeing as I have no experience in the matter, I was jsut wondering.

[[Gandalf]]

First off, RTP isn't a compiler, it's best classified as an IDE which uses the IBM java compiler. That compiler is outdated, and I'm pretty sure is no longer supported. Aside from the compiler, RTP doesn't exactly follow Java convention and promotes things such as extraneous commenting.

[Tony]

from what I understand, Holtsoft's 'Ready to Program' relies on their own libraries, and apparently some people had difficulties trying to run any standard Java.

so basically
a) Any book / documentation you read will not be (as) applicable to Ready.
b) if you go ahead and use Ready's libraries, you'd have to forget all of that if you plan on using real Java elsewhere.

While Notepad is a sufficient text editor to write Java (or _any_ other language), some syntax highlighting might be nice. SciTE is a good choice.

If you are looking for a full out IDE (Integrated Development Environment)(it's a suite where you develop your application) - Eclipse is arguably the best. Alternativly NetBeans has some cool features, such as a GUI builder.

There are a lot of good choices out there, buit RTP is as good for Java, as Frontpage is for web authoring.. meaning bottom of the barrel. I'd pick Notepad over ether.

[[Gandalf]]

That too, with RTP you will most probably be encouraged to use HoltSoft's third party libraries, although it isn't neccessary to. If you truly wish to understand Java and you stay with RTP, it would be best to avoid those libraries.

As for IDEs vs. simple editors + command line compiling, I prefer a combination of the two. Editors like Crimson Editor and EditPlus allow you to set shortcuts to compile and run, which gives you some convenience while not cluttering you with all that useless IDE garbage. Whichever route you take, though, it's a large asset to know how to use the command line.

[wtd]

The compiler RTP uses only supports Java 1.4.2. Java 1.5.0 introduced a number of notable improvements.

If you use RTP, you won't be able to use these, and you will have to work harder to get anything done.

[lord_pwnerer]

Could you guys suggest a good up to date compiler then please? on with text highlighting is nice.

[[Gandalf]]

You still do not seem to understand the difference between compiler and IDE. The IDE includes the syntax highlighting, debugger, and the whole GUI that you are programming in. The compiler is simply put the program that makes your code run. They are seperate programs in all cases that I know of other than Turing.

So what you are looking for is Java's compiler (Java SE 1.5.0 SDK), from java.sun.com, and any IDE which has been mentioned above, or else a simple editor with Java syntax highlighting (Crimson Editor, EditPlus, SciTE, etc).

Hope that clears something up rather than confusing you further.

[wtd]

A compiler translates human-readable source code into machine-interpretable code. In the case of Java, that code is for the Java Virtual Machine, but source code may be compiled for other machines as well.

A development environment is simply the tools you use to write programs. It is generally composed of a text editor, and a compiler. An integergrated development environment (IDE) attempts to take those individual components and wrap them up in a single cohesive interface.

[lord_pwnerer]

you say that the IDE is composed of the text editor and the compiler, but I'm assuming that I need to download the compiler first so that the IDE can use it right?

(Sorry I'm just a confused nooblet)

[[Gandalf]]

Some IDEs install a compiler automatically, some don't. You'll have to give a specific example if you want specific help.