OOP exercises

[sunde887]

I recently started reading the book "Thinking in java" 4th edition. My problem is I am having a hard time maintaining interest in the book. The way he writes isn't too bad, but the examples and exercises are uninteresting and not useful for much. What I am looking for is supplemental exercises that require me to design classes to practice syntax and inheritance with useful classes.

Most of the exercises in the book are nearly identical to examples, which just create classes that simply print "x class is being constructed". I understand it's important to know how and when classes are constructed, but seeing every examples be nearly the same seems like overkill.

For anyone who has read this book, any recommendations for ways to enjoy the book more? I am about to start the chapter on polymorphism, while I have a decent understanding of classes from the book, and useful c++ examples/exercises in a previous book, it is challenging to understand for the wrong reasons. Does the book get more interesting?

I have been googling around for exercises that practice creating classes and extending them, and I can't seem to find much. I recently found project euler(which I must admit, tends to have many problems that are beyond my skill level) and a website called codebat, which have useful exercises, but they are exercises on logic, strings, arrays, and primitives, not objects like I want.

[AcousticBruce]

Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 hours or 21 days is good. I think these would fill that gap that your current book is missing. If you are having a hard time understanding the Head First into Java book is great. These books are less detailed (short wind explanations), just more projects and better examples, but that is where your other book comes in. It is almost a MUST to have multiple books.


There is a guy on youtube called TheNewBoston he has some pretty interesting tutorials and makes learning really fun.

if you need to work your brain a bit there is a site called Project Euler it is great for just making small projects to keep you busy in your spare time. Personally this page jump started me into coding because I had to frequent the Java Docs and Leepoints page
Leepoints page

I think his page explains details better then the docs. Its probably less up to date. But I havent ran into a problem yet.

Have fun.

[user0]

Hi - I have read a book called Building Java Programs and it comes with a supplementary website you can access. The book is very easy to follow and sure kept me interested enough to keep reading.

The most knowledge I gained was when I logged in to their website - almost every programming exercise in the book is available online on a programming interface. So you can actually test yourself in each concept by writing code, and the website tests your code for you.

The recall the OOP section to be very thorough and had many interesting examples and exercises.

Google it and give it a try.

Best,

[sunde887]

Thanks for the advice! Its not that I don't understand thinking in java, I feel like I am absorbing the material, it's just easier for me to retain the knowledge when I practice the typing. The biggest thing in Thinking in Java that's been helping me is manually copying all the examples and thinking of how stuff is performed step by step.

Definately going to try an pick up the textbook and head first java.

[loja11]

hi guys:

this is an interesting topic for me too.
I would appreciate to get supplementary advice on this subject. So far i am working on euler have reached problem no 10. I feel that i need to practice non mathematical exercises as well.

regards,

[AcousticBruce]

hi guys:

this is an interesting topic for me too.
I would appreciate to get supplementary advice on this subject. So far i am working on euler have reached problem no 10. I feel that i need to practice non mathematical exercises as well.

regards,

Yes this is true. Project Euler is nice for killing time or just for extra work.

You have to start making random programs. Some come up with ideas yourself and you will find that you need need to check the java docs or some other reference and this is a good thing. It means you are learning something :)

Really though the Sams and Head First are Excellent for learning on a progressive level. You will still run into things that they dont explain well and use Leepoint or Java Docs or some other site or book to reference.

[loja11]

Thanks:

I will go for the books.