I'm a computer scientist and taught my 11-year-old son with this book.
No difficulty was found and I decided to buy other "for Dummies" series for my son and myself.
--JB from ROK.

If you know nothing about programming, this book is pretty much for you. It discusses the most basic elements of the Java programming language, with good coverage of syntax and keywords. However, it simply doesn't go into great enough depth about everything. If it's for beginners, it ought to explain all the nuances of Java (what is public static void for), and cover the things most people would take for granted in depth. Overall, a good read for a beginner programmer, though!

I liked the author and his methodology right from the start of the book. His lighter and funny way to explain not only makes reading interesting but it helps you to understand the content better and faster.

I did not know Java before reading and now after reading the book, i KNOW Java, i did not Master Java (the book is not for a person to master) but i learnt a lot. The book would definitely do what its intended to do.. It'll teach you Java, if it sounds greek to you.

Highly Recomended.

I love this book, it has a lot of hands on practical experience. Not like most books where you just read about doing something without actually doing it. This book teaches you entry level hands on Java Programming in real time and as you read along, you actually have to have JCreator open while reading and practicing the basics of Java, it makes for a good solid foundation for later Programming Languages.

If you're looking for a basic intro to programming and want to learn a little Java, than this is the perfect book for you. I really enjoyed reading it because the author has such an awesome sense of humor. But, if you really want to learn Java in-depth and have no programming experience at all than I recommend this book along with another more detailed book about Java. After I read this book I read Just Java 2 to get more into Java. Otherwise, this book was really fun to read and accomplishes its goal of a basic intro to programming.

The author is a great teacher, does an excellent job teaching absolute beginners basic programming concepts and how these concepts relate to Java.

If you have had some/any previous programming learning experience than you might find this book will go too slow for you. However, if you really don't understand basic programming concepts than this book will explain them.

I recommend this book for absolute beginners in programming, not just beginners in Java but any programming. A very good start for someone who has never created or seen a program before.

I would like to repeat my comments about one of Barry Burd`s other books as the same comments apply here:

"I am a mature University student studying Web Development and Programming.I needed a gentle introduction to Java, and this book has provided just that.It takes the reader by the hand and introduces all of the basic concepts in an informative and uncomplicated manner (not an easy task).
The author is also very accesible.I had a problem with some code and he responded to my email within hours.(He pointed me to a posting on his Weblog which did just the trick).
I approached Java with some trepidation but thanks to Mr Burd I am now feeling very confident about tackling the more complicated issues.
I am also more than holding my own at University.I can`t thank the author enough.
An introduction to Java that I would highly recommend to anyone."

And an introduction to programming in general that I would highly recommend too.

I would like to repeat my comments about one of Barry Burd`s other books as the same comments apply here:

"I am a mature University student studying Web Development and Programming.I needed a gentle introduction to Java, and this book has provided just that.It takes the reader by the hand and introduces all of the basic concepts in an informative and uncomplicated manner (not an easy task).
The author is also very accesible.I had a problem with some code and he responded to my email within hours.(He pointed me to a posting on his Weblog which did just the trick).
I approached Java with some trepidation but thanks to Mr Burd I am now feeling very confident about tackling the more complicated issues.
I am also more than holding my own at University.I can`t thank the author enough.
An introduction to Java that I would highly recommend to anyone."

And an introduction to programming in general that I would highly recommend too.

This book is very easy to read and understand. Anyone trying to learn Java this is a great book to start learning with. You will not go wrong purchasing this book.

This book is very easy to read and understand. Anyone trying to learn Java this is a great book to start learning with. You will not go wrong purchasing this book.

Good intro to Java. Ideally, read this book first, then pick up Liang's book named Introduction to Java Programming - Comprehensive (which is more like a complete and full-fledged training to Java.)

Good intro to Java. Ideally, read this book first, then pick up Liang's book named Introduction to Java Programming - Comprehensive (which is more like a complete and full-fledged training to Java.)

His humor combined with the descriptions of the code examples make this a great book for the beginner. I learned more from this book than I did from a semester-long class in Java. We won't even go into the price difference between the two. The ONLY drawback to this book is that there are no exercises to practice what you've learned in the preceding chapter.

This is sorta sequel to first Burd's book and it goes little deeper, so I'd say it is a bit advanced for first Java Book. You need both Burd books on Java for a good start.

I brought this for my kids, they want to learn Java in school. But my wife was the first one read this. She was able to read one chaper in half day and understand the whole chaper. It is a really easy to understand book!

A few years back I tried to learn Programming by reading several books like the Perl book with a Camel on it's cover. I couldn't get past page 2 and gave up. A similiar thing happenned with C for Dummies, I couldn't get past a particular chapter on loops and gave up. Now, I think my logical aptitude is quite OK, since I have a Master's Degree in Finance.
The thing with Programming books is that most of them are written very badly indeed. I have found more bad books in Programming than say Economics or Finance. Many authors say want their to work for a huge audience, but their communication style makes their books suitable only for other Programmers.
Professor Barry Burd has written this book for the absolute newbie. Somebody with even half a brain can start writing Java Code after reading this book. There isn't a thing which I did not understand in this book. Professor Barry Burd has put me on a very solid launching pad, from where I can learn more Java.

When my computer science teacher told me to buy this book I was sure that it wouldn't help me at all since I did not know how to program AT ALL. However, in the first few days I realized I was wrong. In 1 month I had learned how to program and using GUI (Graphical User Interface).

I offer my review in the form of an email I recently sent to the author:

Dr. Burd,

I have to tell you how much I love your Java programming book. I've been searching for a way into the mysterious world of programming for quite some time, and yours is the best by far! A few years ago I took a intro programming class in which BASIC was used as the learning tool. Unfortunately it bored me to tears. In my quest for a successful self-study course I had trouble finding a book that kept me engaged. That is until I found your book! Thank you for finally giving me a route to programming that works for me!

I recently purchased this book on Amazon and dug in. The technology does not get in the way of the message and the author has a light humor which makes the learing process go faster. Incidentally, I had a question so I left an email for the author, and got a personal response the next day, clearing up my question. I recomend this book and other titles written by this person.

First of all, I would like to say that this book is a great book for beginers, and the people out there that what to learn java when they don't know lots about the computer programming language. In this book, the author (Barry Burd), asumes that you have not that much knowledge about computer programming languages, or some, and tells you the basics. Unlike the other books in this genre that I have read, this one avoids those "I assume that you already know" comments, and starts from scrath. This book is definetly worth buying!

- If you would like more info about this book, fell free to email me at stesean@gmail.com

I have been Programming in C++ for quite a while and thought I might give Java a go as many people had recommended it to me.When i got this book, all i could say was, WOW!This book really helped me in getting started with Java. It cleared up ALOT of things that i was confused on. One of the books i had on Java was "Using Java 2 platform, Special Edition" by Joseph L. Weber was a great book, however it did not explain some topics clear enough, But after getting Beginning Programming With Java, it cleared up alot of things for me. To be honest, Most of the "For Dummies" Book's for Programming Arent that clear and are very confusing, However, This book is the only exception. It is great and i recommend it to anyone who wants to get started In Java.

I'm taking a Java class in college and was a little lost. I've studied Fortran, Basic, Lisp, and Visual Basic. Java is a whole new world to me. I'm an old DOS user and like understanding the "why". This book assumes you know little and is easy to follow. A great teaching aid! I would recommend it to anyone trying to learn Java.

I spent 2 months in my free time, sitting on the beach, weekends and evenings slowing going through Barry Burd's Book - Java for Dummies. I had never developed anything in my life although I am a pretty competent user of office based products. The biggest compliment I can give the book is that after the initial flush enthusiasm has worn off Barry's book will still keep you engaged and experimenting - it will not end up propping up the coffee table. If you are a beginner - this is not a book that promises alot and delivers little - it delivers all the way ... but as a student you have to put some of the work in as well - the book can't do it all for you.

Bottom line - will it make you a first string corporate developer ?? No, but it will empower and enable you to understand the more complex stuff which will in turn lead to developing what will be high quality applications be they web based or what ever. Your days of feeling like an idiot will be over.

Very helpful. Most programming books are extremely hard to understand and not very practical. Burd's book teaches on the common man's level. I highly recommend for first time java users.

This book was a fun read! My review can be summed up by the following five points:
1) Burd makes the subject matter painless with his light and at times anecdotal writing. (good)
2) This book goes extremely slow. But that is *NOT* a bad thing if you are new to java / programming. (good)
3) I got the java text for my 'promgramming in java, 101' course, and those authors put a *LOT* more emphasis on the importance / use of objects. Something Burd doesn't seem to stress enough. (bad)
4) You will not "learn java." Rather, you will learn how to make quick command line programs to accomplish simple tasks. (bad)
5) Excellent starter book. This book gives you look at the good, the bad, and the frustrating! (good)

Obviously, this is a weighted scale (refer to 4-star rating).

Recommended for anybody interested in Java / programming who has not had *any* training in either.

Dr. Barry. A. Burd does an excellent job making this book for anyone - experience in programming or not. I have heard people that complain that it only gets their feet wet, but everyone has to begin somewhere and I still believe that Barry does a great job at that for a very affordable price. My one and only problem about the book is that Dr. Burd doesn't always use "real programming" (instead he uses his own DummiesIO class). If you want a great alternative, I suggest you check out his "Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies, 2nd edition".