Recommended books?

[cholland89]

I'm an intermediate-novice Python programmer with an interest in Android development. This is obviously going to require that I learn Java. Does anybody have any books that they can recommend from experience? I've downloaded Java 7 JDK and want to get started from a good source.

Also for consideration, would it be a problem to start at Java 7? Are there any code breaking syntax changes or anything that would make pre-java 7 books useless?

[End Of All]

Im a relatively new coder myself, though i am finding that a book called Big Java by Cay Horstmann is pretty good

[awinston]

I recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-You...ava+in+21+days

I'm using the fifth edition of this same book, and I have encountered some slightly outdated material. However, the above is the sixth edition and apparently it covers Java 7. The book is organized into a 21-day lesson plan, so it's great if you want to learn quickly.

If that's not fast enough for you, then there's this: Amazon.com: Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours (Covering Java 7 and Android) (6th Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself...in 24 Hours) (9780672335754): Rogers Cadenhead: Books

The reviews on amazon suggest that the above is great for if you are already familiar with object-oriented programming, which you mentioned you are.

And if you are looking for a more "fun" experience, then I have heard that this is a good read: http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Jav...27s+first+java

As I mentioned, it's meant to teach you java in a more interesting way than the first 2 books that I listed. I've skimmed through it at a bookstore, and I can tell you that you are in for some funny yet educational reading. However, this book only covers up to Java 5.0!

[cholland89]

Thank you both for the information. I'll look into these.

[otacon]

I know this is not directly a Java programming teaching book, but I believe this book made me a much better programmer and Java is a great platform to apply it:

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Pattern.../dp/0201633612