Objects First with Java

Objects First with Java ; A Practical Introduction using BlueJ Learn Java and BlueJ straight from the source!



Welcome to the first introductory programming textbook that completely integrates BlueJ with the teaching of object-oriented principles using Java.

BlueJ is a Java development environment that runs on top of the Sun Microsystems Java Development Kit making use of the standard compiler and virtual machine. It has been specifically designed for the introductory teaching of object-oriented programming, allowing the student to create objects of any class and interact with their methods. This truly objects first approach within the customised BlueJ environment is expected to revolutionise the way programming is taught. For the first time, the traditionally difficult concepts of objects and classes are bought alive in an easily manipulable visual form.

Key features

• Objects first approach
  
  

BlueJ supports teaching tools that are not available in other environments, including the visualisation of class structure. This means that the student can interact with objects directly, even before looking at the first line of Java syntax!

• Project driven approach to problem solving
  
  

Each chapter contains problems which are analyzed before the language constructs are introduced that can solve them. What is more, the book is structured along the lines of fundamental development tasks, giving clear coverage of the principles of object-oriented programming

• Spiral approach
  
  

Challenging topics are introduced early, and then revisited later in the book in a different context in order to deepen understanding

• Thorough treatment of object-oriented principles
  
  

Pointers are used within each chapter to refer the student to further reading, supplementary sources, and language references

• Supplements
  
  

The book is accompanied by a CD-ROM containing the JDK and BlueJ for various operating systems. A companion website contains the style guide for all examples used in the book, as well as power point slides for instructors.

Michael Klling is one of the developers of the BlueJ software, and is currently based at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense. David J. Barnes is at the University of Kent at Canterbury, and is the author of Object-Oriented Programming with Java, also published by Prentice Hall.