The object-oriented paradigm continues to dominate the teaching of introductory computer programming. Objects First With Java is the first textbook to completely integrate the BlueJ Java development environment with the teaching of object-oriented principles. By using BlueJ, the authors are able to take a truly objects first approach, introducing the student to objects and classes from the outset, and enabling him/her to create an object and call its methods as the very first activity.

If you have never done any programming before this book is for you! It assumes no prior knowledge of programming. It starts from scratch. It is written in a simple, direct style for maximum clarity. It is aimed at first level students at universities and colleges, but it is also suitable for novices studying alone.

Visual Basic.Net is a fully-fledged object-oriented language, supporting encapsulation, single inheritance and polymorphism. In creating Visual Basic.Net, Microsoft have made Visual Basic into an elegant and consistent language. These features all make the language easier to learn, easier to use and more robust. In addition it encourages the use of good programming style.  Visual Basic.Net is part of a suite of tools associated with the .Net architecture, but it is also a free-standing programming language. It can be used to write free-standing program code or to create components that fit within the .Net architecture.

The authors explain how to use objects early in this book, starting with the ideas of variables, assignment and methods, then introducing using library classes. Next they explain how to use control structures for selection and looping and then comes the treatment of how to write your own classes.

The book ensures that the fun element of programming is paramount, so graphics are used right from the start. They are fun, interesting and clearly demonstrate all the important principles of programming. But programs that input and output text are not ignored ? they are integrated throughout the text.