Reviews for Sams Teach Yourself Java 6 in 21 Days

1. This does NOT cover java 6, not even java 1.4

   Rated 1 out of 5 stars, March 12st, 2010

   I am a certified programmer for java 1.4, and I bought this book on the title alone to get me up to date with the upgrades to version 6. What a disappointment to find that annotations are not covered at all, and generics only partially. Furthermore the collections framework is largely ignored. I looks like a java 1.3 book with some added examples to make it look like a version 6 book, but it is NOT. So if you need a book to study for the certification exam, this book is definitely NOT the one to get.
   I found it a complete waste of money.

2. Awful, simply Awful

   Rated 1 out of 5 stars, February 12th, 2010

   Whether this is a criticism of the Java programming language or the errors in the book I can't be sure. But I was unable to compile anything, had so many errors, loaded up Netbeans to see if it would work and no, had errors again and again. Even downloaded the source code from the site and still got errors. Command line doesn't find my file, and yes I have all the Java stuff installed. I haven't had any problems with Python or C++, and so I thought adding another string to my bow would be great. But attempting to learn Java has been extremely negative so far. Perhaps I shall look on the net to find somewhere that actually teaches you correctly how to use this infuriatingly complicated language.

3. Teach yourself Java 6 in 21 days.

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, September 12th, 2009

   Teach yourself Java 6 in 21 days.
   
   I have programmed in other languages and needed to learn Java.This book does it; but in somewhat longer than 21 days, more like 63 days to cover the material thoroughly, and maintain some sort of normal life.
   
   It is graduated in difficulty nicely, and the disc with the source files is well organised and saves a lot of typing for the later classes.The book does not talk down to you, and avoids the somewhat laboured American approach.
   
   I would recommend it to anybody prepared to put in some effort.
   
   

4. Excellent introduction to the Java Language

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, August 12th, 2009

   I am quite impressed by this book. It effectively teaches you selected and important aspects of the Java Language with numerous commented examples. The text is very clear, and easy to follow if you already know a programming language. Moreover, the book is quite entertaining by itself, due to the personal style of the author. On the downside, I missed a few figures and information about further reading, and that's the only thing that kept it from getting five stars.

5. Not very helpful

   Rated 1 out of 5 stars, February 12th, 2009

   This is a terrible book - written in that patronising "IT Guy" style... I cant recommend this to anyone.