Object First with Java: A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ

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.

Objects First with Java:
A Practical Introduction Using BlueJ

Third Edition

David J. Barnes
Michael Kölling

The BlueJ revolution goes on! The third edition of Objects First with Java has been fully updated for Java 5.0, and features a new version of BlueJ providing even stronger support for learning Java syntax and semantics.

Hallmark features

• An ‘Objects First’ approach encourages students to exploit the power of OOP from the beginning
• A project-driven approach applies a problem-solving method to real applications.
• A CD-ROM containing the JDK and versions of BlueJ for a variety of operating systems
• A Companion Website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/barnes includes a style guide for all program examples, PowerPoint slides and other resources for both students and instructors.
• Additional resources can be found on the BlueJ website: www.bluej.org/objects-first/

New to the third edition

• Fully compliant with Java 5.0 features including generics
• A revised treatment of autobox and enumerators
• Expanded coverage of graphics and GUI programming
• A new version of the BlueJ environment, featuring:
  o Full support for Java 5.0
  o An all-new interface ‘look and feel’
  o A new ‘Code Pad’ feature, allowing immediate execution and evaluation of Java code.

About the Authors

David Barnes has 25 years experience in teaching programming. He and Michael Kölling both teach introductory Java courses at the Universityof Kent, Canterbury. Michael Kölling was a key member of the team that developed BlueJ at MonashUniversityin Australia.

 

[Copy to appear on inside front cover of 3rd edition]

From reviews of the original edition

“The book represents a valuable, new approach to introductory programming; it is still my best choice as textbook for the introductory programming course.”
—Michael Caspersen, University of Aarhus, Denmark

“This is the most innovative approach to teaching an Introduction to Programming course I have seen so far.”
—Clemens Martin, University of Ontario

“I would like to thank the authors for their good job on this book, and the wonderful BlueJ, the best programming environment for students learning Java.”
—Ying Zhou, Rhode Island College

 

The first true ‘objects first’ introductory text; the best introduction to objects and OO programming concepts I have ever seen.”

—Michael Goldweber, XavierUniversity

 

“The more I read Barnes and Kölling’s book, the more impressed I am with it. It is a pedagogical masterpiece.”

—Ian Bridgewood, CopenhagenUniversityCollegeof Engineering