Objects First with Java: A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ: International Edition - Softcover

Barnes, David J.; Kolling, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0132835541 ISBN 13: 9780132835541

Publisher: Pearson, 2011

Synopsis

Objects First with Java: A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ, 5e, is ideal for introductory courses in Java/Introduction to Programming and Object-Oriented Programming and for beginning programmers.
 
This is the only introductory programming textbook that uses the BlueJ integrated development environment (IDE) to teach introductory and object-oriented programming principles using Java. Its close integration with the BlueJ development environment allows this book to focus on key aspects of object-oriented software development from day one. BlueJ's clear visualization of classes and objects means that readers can immediately appreciate the differences between them, and gain a much better understanding of the nature of an object than they would from simply reading source code. Unlike traditional textbooks, the chapters are not ordered by language features but by software development concepts. Language features are introduced as a response to the problems to be solved. A large number of different, interesting projects are used to provide variety and avoid the monotony of a running problem. This book takes an “objects first” approach to teaching the traditionally difficult concepts of objects in a manipulative visual form. Throughout, the emphasis is on developing a practical approach to programming, with students encouraged to add code to existing programs rather than working with an intimidating sheet of blank paper. This textbook is printed in four-color to aid pedagogy and reader learning.

 

About this title

From the Back Cover

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 Kölling 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.

About the Author

David Barnes is a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Kent, in Canterbury, England. He has been teaching introductory programming for over 25 years, and has practical experience of a wide range of programming languages. He has been teaching object-oriented programming in Java for over 10 years. David is passionate about the excitement that is inherent in computer science and is actively involved in promoting it as a subject area to high-school children. In addition to computing education, his main research is in the area of software engineering.

 

Michael Kölling is a Senior Lecturer at the Computing Laboratory, University of Kent, in Canterbury, England. He holds a PhD in computer science from Sydney University, and has worked in Australia, Denmark and the UK. Michael’s research interests are in the areas of object-oriented systems, programming languages, software tools, computing education. He has published numerous papers on object-orientation and computing education topics. Michael is one of the developers of BlueJ and, more recently, the Greenfoot platform.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0132835541
• ISBN 13: 9780132835541
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 560