Flexibility — the authors provide flexibility charts in the preface to enable the ordering of chapters and sections based n professor need.

Early Graphics — optional graphics sections at the end of most chapters make it possible to cover GUI programming from the start of the course. 

Coverage of problem-solving and programming techniques ~Includes numerous case studies and programming tips to foster the development of problem solving skills.

Support for learning Java syntax - extensive pedagogy throughout the text to aid with the learning of Java syntax issues.

Object-Oriented and Traditional Techniques — although students are exposed to using classes iin Chapters 1 and

2, the defining of objects is delayed until Chapter 5.  All of the basic information about objects and classes, including inheritance, is presented by the end of Chapter 8;

Language Details and Sample Code — Gives complete explanations of Java language features and lots of sample code.

Self-Test questions – are throughout the text to provide reinforcement.  These questions have a wide range of difficulty levels; some require only a one-word answer, whereas others require the reader to write an entire, but short program.

Fully class-tested – Much of the material and many of the methods of presentation were revised in response to this

class testing.

Student Resources – The source code from the book, code for extra programming examples, and links to download

locations for Java compilers and programming environments are provided on the book’s website: http://www.prenhall.com/savitch

Instructor’s Resource Guide – A chapter-by-chapter guide that contains numerous teaching hints, quiz questions with solutions, and solutions to many exercises and programming projects.