Schildt divides the book into four parts. The first third is a solid tutorial on Java programming with neat code examples showing how various features work. Nearly half is taken up with a detailed view of the Java Library followed by 150 pages on Java software development. The last section dissects four Java applets.

Although described as a reference, Java 2: The Complete Reference is a lot more than a list of facts. There's advice, demonstrations of best practice, asides for those using languages such as C and C++ and a pleasant absence of the justifications for various Java design decisions which clog so many books on the subject. Schildt takes the line that Java is the future for Net and networked programs. Coming from perhaps the best-selling writer on C and C++ this is more than interesting. It's a pity Microsoft didn't read it. Perhaps it would have changed its mind about supporting Java.

One oddity is the way Schildt gives more coverage to the largely superseded AWT, the Abstract Window Toolkit, than to its easier and more flexible replacement, Swing. However, both are big areas; perhaps Schildt thinks you should be reading books dealing specifically with these subjects. He'll probably write one. --Steve Patient --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description
"Herb Schildt tells his programmers what they want and need to know simply, clearly, concisely, and authoritatively." ACM Computing Review

World-renowned programming author Herb Schildt brings you a fully updated, comprehensive resource on Java 2. This is the one book no Java programmer should be without. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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