Joel Adams, Calvin College
Larry R. Nyhoff, Calvin College
Jeffrey Nyhoff, Calvin College

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2001
Format: Paper Bound w/CD-ROM; 945 pp

ISBN-10:	0130142514
ISBN-13:	9780130142511

Our Price: £60.99
Status: Not Yet Published
Estimated Availability: 10 Jan 2001

As in their successful C++ text (C++: An Introduction to Computing), the authors introduce key ideas behind computing with Java and object-oriented programming in an intuitive and non-intimidating way. This text not only teaches text-based programming, but also graphical/internet programming. In addition, this text provides an introduction to computer science as a discipline.

• Problem-solving methodology—Used consistently in examples and applications that gradually increase in complexity.

  • The authors have produced a variety of best-sellers that really show students how to solve problems. Ex.___

• “Spiral” approach—Central topics are introduced early and are revisited in increasing detail throughout the text.

  • A “use it, then build it” approach. Students receive extensive exposure to concepts underlying basic constructs, reducing the learning curve when the time comes to actually build their own. Ex.__

• Coverage of Java 2, the most current version of the Java programming language.

  • Exposes students to the state of the art features of Java 2, including the Swing components. Ex. Section 2.5-GUI greeter, Section 6.5-Dutch Flag GUI and applet, and Section 9.5-pie chart. Ex.___

• The authors' popular approach, Object-Centered Design (OCD)— Introduced in chapter 1, culminating in object-oriented design in chapter 11.

  • Object-oriented programming is quickly becoming a standard industry practice, and this book exposes the introductory student to object-oriented programming early and consistently. Ex. Section 3.1-Einstein's Equation, Section 4.1-Old MacDonald had a Farm, and Section 9.1-test scores analysis. Ex.___

• Programming examples consistently use Object-Centered Design to develop working code—Available on the Companion Website and on the CD-ROM packaged with every text.

  • Good documentation techniques and habits are modeled in examples to help students learn the importance of writing maintainable programs. Ex.___

• Optional Graphical/Internet examples in each chapter—Coverage of these is recommended, but can be omitted or covered later without loss of continuity.

  • Teaches Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, presenting both applications and applets, an essential part of the Java 2 language. Ex. Section 1.3-greeting applet, Section 6.5-raise the flag, and Section 13.4-phases of the moon animation. Ex.___

• Programming pointers at the end of each chapter.

  • Provide students with good program design and style guidelines as well as warn of potential pitfalls. Ex.___

• Documentation sections at the end of each chapter.

  • Provide a handy reference for Java classes. Ex.___

• “Part of the Picture” sections—In each chapter. Several contributed by field experts.

  • These sections introduce students to discipline of Computer Science-e.g., ethics, history, AI, and architecture. Ex. Ch. 1, Ethics and Computing, and Ch. 6, Artificial Intelligence. Ex.___

• Approximately 450 quick quiz (self-check) questions with answers in the back of the text, 500 written exercises, and 300 programming problems and projects.

  • Students can review and apply the concepts they learn in each chapter. Instructors have a large variety of programming problems from which to choose. Ex.___

• Chapter objectives along with key terms and concepts in each chapter.

  • Help students identify important points of a chapter. Ex.___

• Color is used in a carefully designed format to effectively highlight and emphasize.

  • Helps students spot important code in a program, important parts of diagrams, general forms, important principles, warnings, etc. Ex.___

"The authors did an excellent job in covering all the milestones of computer development. The authors should be commended for bringing life to an often poorly described subject."—Mike Davarpanah, California Polytechnic University, Pomona

"The biggest strength of this book is a good, methodical approach to object-oriented design. The steps are well laid-out…and the examples are quite good."—Brian Durney, Brigham Young University, Hawaii