Books, workbooks Resources recomendations

[Drun]

I am fairly new to Java programming, and looking to go to a Java 1.6 Programmer Certification. I am wondering if any one (of those that have already done it) can recommended any good books to study from. Workbooks that would be good to work from. And any other resources.

I will be studying with 3 other people whom I work with we will be meeting once a week to go over the stuff.

Thanks.

[PhHein]

The Java™ Tutorials

New to Java Programming Center - Sun Microsystems

Includes an overview of what Java is, instructions for setting up Java, an intro to programming (that includes links to the above tutorial or to parts of it), quizzes, a list of resources, and info on certification and courses.

jGuru: Your view of the Java universe
A general Java resource site. Includes FAQs, forums, courses, more.

JavaRanch - A Friendly Place for Java Greenhorns
To quote the tagline on their homepage: "a friendly place for Java greenhorns." FAQs, forums (moderated, I believe), sample code, all kinds of goodies for newbies. From what I've heard, they live up to the "friendly" claim.

Resources for learning Java... - Dev Shed

The Java Developers AlmanacAmazon.com: The Java(TM) Developers Almanac 1.4, Volume 1: Examples and Quick Reference (4th Edition) (9780201752809): Patrick Chan: Books

Java Examples from The Java Developers Almanac 1.4

Joshua Bloch's Amazon.com: Effective Java (2nd Edition) (9780321356680): Joshua Bloch: Books

Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra's Amazon.com: Head First Java (9788173666650): Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra: Books

James Gosling's The Java Programming Language Amazon.com: Java(TM) Programming Language, The (4th Edition) (9780321349804): Ken Arnold, James Gosling, David Holmes: Books
Gosling is the creator of Java. It doesn't get much more authoritative than this.

Joshua Bloch and Neal Gafter Java Puzzlers. Java Puzzlers

[Eranga]

First two links are the most suitable materials for beginners in Java.

[PhHein]

One of the best books is Amazon.com: Head First Java (9788173666650): Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra: Books as mentioned above. A good read, amusing, precise and informative.
You can download the Sun tutorial:
https://cds.sun.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP...-CDS_Developer

[Drun]

Thanks Phphein. I will be bring that list of books to my co-workers for studying for our certs.

(I probably should have noted we are all programmers that now find ourselves doing Java, with different programming backgrounds, myself I have 5 years of C++ experience to build on)

[Eranga]

(I probably should have noted we are all programmers that now find ourselves doing Java, with different programming backgrounds, myself I have 5 years of C++ experience to build on)

Then leaning Java is not a big deal at all to you. Hope you've strong knowledge about OO concepts. :) Good luck!