Learning to code can be confusing for a complete beginner. There are dozens and dozens of Java books on Amazon, it’s so easy to get lost! how about a little advice, based on the experience of other java learners? If you haven’t created your reading list for 2019 yet, we’re here to help with our pick of the best books for java learners.
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best java books for beginners
These are completely safe sources for those who are just starting to learn java programming. We recommend that you take a look at all of them, as they use different approaches in presenting the basics. when you get stuck on a certain topic in one book, chances are you’ll get a clear explanation elsewhere.
1. head first java by kathy sierra & bert bates
If you can’t imagine a clear explanation without a suitable image, such as a schematic, diagram, or graphic drawing, you’ll enjoy this beginner’s book. It is arguably the best introduction to java, explaining the core language and concepts of oop in real world examples. although it is a book, it has a “user-friendly interface”: you will be hooked from the first page until you finish it.
You won’t start coding immediately after first reading java, but you’ll easily understand the logic of this language and its main concepts. each chapter ends with exercises and puzzles: they will help you memorize the material.
pros: engaging storytelling, excellent illustrations, and real-life explanations. probably the best book to learn java from scratch. Cons: Sometimes the puzzles are a bit confusing.
2. starting to program with java for dummies
You have every right to be skeptical about the “mannequin series” as they are of no use to readers with minimal experience and understanding of any subject. but due to the plain language, they explain the main terms simply and without confusion. You will learn the most important things you need to get started with java coding, such as how to install java, compile code, and complete different hands-on exercises after you finish reading. It’s as easy as children’s books.
pros: very simple examples and lots of “how to’s” if you have no idea of programming concepts. cons: nothing more than a simple java introduction.
3. java: programming basics for absolute beginners by nathan clark
another book for readers with no coding experience that will take you step by step through the basics. you will learn how to choose an ide and write the first program. The book familiarizes you with the Java Development Kit and the Java Runtime Environment and provides descriptions of each part of the code in examples. it serves as a pretty good preliminary setting before delving into more serious topics.
pros: fluent introduction to java programming and its main features. cons: There is no in-depth explanation of the concept of object-oriented programming, so some practical examples can be confusing.
4. java: a beginner’s guide by herbert schildt
generally, schildt’s guide is considered one of the top 3 or at least 5 best books for java beginners. but this book requires a bit more understanding of programming compared to previous sources. You will deepen your understanding of the origins of Java and its relationships to other programming languages.
is an in-depth investigation into the basics of java that explains code by line and guides you from basic understanding of data types, classes, and objects to more complex concepts like lambda expressions and functional interfaces. the bulk of this book is a self-assessment section at the end of each chapter.
advantages: simple tone of voice, self-assessment, complete coverage of java core. cons: you need at least a little prior understanding of programming.
5. core java volume i — fundamentals
Don’t worry about the impressive 1000 pages: you can easily read this book from cover to cover. it leaves aside the playful tone and focuses on detailed explanations of the core of java. Each chapter is devoted to a particular topic, starting with an introduction to the Java programming language and environment, and moving on to data structures, objects, and classes, etc. Unlike many beginner books, Core Java provides explicit coverage of collections and generics, which is useful for real programming.
Overall, it’s a great reference book. read it once and come back to it whenever you need to refresh your knowledge.
pros: a complete reference to core java and attention to collections and generics, in-depth explanations. Cons: Some topics, such as generics, are treated less diligently than others.
6. Think Java: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist by Allen Downey and Chris Mayfield
This beginner’s book will teach you to think in code. like many others, it begins with an introduction to oop. it’s also a pretty good reference book. each chapter has vocabulary sections and exercises to consolidate the theory and master the ability to think about programming. it is more suitable for beginners than for readers with even a little coding experience. For starters, it’s simple and fun to read.
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pros: a source to adjust your way of coding, practical, basic concepts clearly explained. cons: cannot be considered as the complete reference for core java; the same level of complexity in all exercises.
java books for advanced learners
Are you already familiar with the main concepts and have you already made coding your daily habit? cheers to that! Let’s move on to Java books which will deepen your knowledge and focus on the number of useful topics in real world coding.
7. java cash is written by joshua bloch
This is not a book for beginners, but it is a must-read investigation for all java developers. You will quickly see that it is written by an expert with serious practical training, because it explains not only the general topics but also the subtleties. if you want to understand internal processes and get a clue as to how and why they are organized this way, this book serves the purposes well. each chapter consists of the “elements” with lots of practical advice and a good overview of the latest java features. it will teach you how to write the code and how to do it right.
pros: easy to read, covers best practices in programming, useful tips to improve your coding. Cons: Requires an understanding of the basics and at least a little coding experience.
8. java: the complete herbert schildt reference
You probably won’t start learning java from scratch with this book, but sooner or later you will refer to it, as it is a well-structured, full-featured source on java programming with real-world programming examples. covers the java 8 APIs and clearly explains the basics and beyond. the “extra” material is devoted to javabeans, servlets, applets, and swing. therefore, it is a totally correct decision to have this book on your bookshelf or in your book reader.
pros: real world examples, clear and detailed explanations, a good reference for the latest java api’s. cons: requires basic knowledge of java programming.
9. java 8 in action
if you need a java 8 book with complete coverage of its features, this is for you.
It will be easier for you to understand the material with some java experience. but the good thing about this book is the versatility of the practice. the examples include both “good” and “bad” code samples. just make sure you don’t mix them up 🙂 overall, this is a book with an obvious focus on practice, so you can use it as an additional source for further study.
pros: practice focused, shows the difference between correct and incorrect code. cons: requires supplementary sources for a deeper understanding of basic java concepts.
10. thinking about java by bruce eckel
This book offers you a rather refreshing approach to explaining the basics of java. focuses on the design and behavior of the java language and includes many detailed explanations. you will gain an understanding of how each topic fits with oop. the basic topics are fully covered in the first 200 pages of the book. the larger part can help you cover the new ground. is one of those books, to which you will return even after years of study and coding.
Even though some of the examples are a bit out of date, this book is still an in-depth resource for students, because it actually teaches you to think like a java programmer and encourages you to code.
pros: a complete source, lots of code examples and exercises, excellent explanation of java oop concepts. cons: can be too complicated for a beginner.
11. grokking algorithms: an illustrated guide for programmers and other curious people by aditya y. bhargava
If you need the best book on algorithms, this may be the right choice. It is understandable for readers with a basic level of knowledge and presents popular algorithms such as sorting and searching graphically. not many people would say that this specific topic is very exciting. That’s why a visual approach to presenting data will help newcomers quickly engage in learning.
The book is divided into short chapters with a variety of examples, so that you perceive the new information in the correct proportions. and simple, vivid narration guides you through the concepts so you’ll be ready for advanced content.
pros: visuals, engaging storytelling, comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals. cons: excellent for beginners, but cannot be considered a complete reference.
12. introduction to algorithms by thomas h. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. rivest, clifford stein
if you can’t get enough of algorithms, try this one. the unusual feature of the “intro…” is that it includes examples in a “pseudocode”. even though it was presented as an introduction, it has a wide variety of topics covered and the whole concept of data structures and algorithms is explained quite well. It is written in plain English and covers everything you need to know. the only thing is that it focuses on describing algorithms instead of designing them. Still, it’s a good reference book. if you think you need to learn more about algorithms, consider this book.
pros: a detailed catalog of algorithms for a variety of situations. cons: lack of practice, requires previous reading.
13. thinking about data structures: algorithms and information retrieval in java by allen b.
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this is a useful guide to using data structures in java programming. This will be an easy read for experienced developers as it goes beyond the basics right into a deep understanding of interfaces, arrays, hash maps, jsoup usage, etc.
each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, an example, additional explanations plus an exercise to consolidate the theory. You’ll enjoy the clear language and simple examples and how this book helps you implement your knowledge right away.
pros: a condensed material with useful examples. cons: can be difficult for newbies.
14. learn java by creating android games: learn java and android from scratch by creating six exciting john horton games
android is one of the most popular mobile operating systems, and java is one of the main languages to create applications in it. If being a mobile developer is your goal, why not grab one of the best books to learn java programming in this field? For the record, this book does not require a Java proficiency. the level of difficulty gradually grows from the key topics (variables, loops, methods, object-oriented programming). After each stage, you are tasked with developing your own game for the android platform, six in total.
Not a fan of game development? it’s still worth trying to see java programming in action.
pros: a practical guide to game development. cons: serves a specific purpose.
general purpose books on programming
These books should be on your list somewhere between the sources for newcomers to java and readers with light experience. They will broaden your scope on coding in general and teach you the main concepts of programming, creating clean code, and starting your career. Here’s our pick of the best programming books for beginners, regardless of what language they’re learning.
15. head first learn to code by eric freeman
The head first series is featured by the best book for learning java and also books on learning other programming languages. this one is dedicated to programming in general. you will easily recognize the unique style of storytelling once you open it. read this if you need a hands on key concepts of coding in a fun and easy to understand way.
pros: Provides a general understanding of programming. cons: uses python examples (since it is considered easier for newbies).
16. clean code: an agile software craftsmanship by robert c. martin
When you’re new to programming, you don’t pay much attention to the style of your code, as you focus on avoiding obvious mistakes. but improving your style is very important in your future work. This book will show you the difference between good code and bad code, and teach you the main rules for writing clean, readable code, using best practices. the book is highly recommended for beginning developers.
pros: good examples and tips on how to create readable code. cons: the rules of eating are taken to the extreme.
17. code: the hidden language of computer hardware and software by charles petzold
well, this is not a book for beginners in java, but it is a must read for all developers. It will help you clearly understand how computers work, from hardware to software. The author covers a wide range of topics such as electricity, circuits, relays, binary, logic, gates, microprocessors, code, and others to gradually build an understanding of how computer technology works. After reading this book, you would see behind the pixels on your desktop and know what is happening every time you use your devices.
pros: a great overview of computer technologies, lots of examples. cons: some parts of the book can be difficult.
18. cracking the coding interview by gayle laakmann mcdowell
This is the best book for java learners who are aiming to get a job as a software developer. includes an extensive list of practical questions and solutions that you may be asked during a coding interview. Of course, time passes quickly and many trends in developer “testing” change, but this book will help a newcomer get the idea of what to expect. however, we recommend that you update your knowledge in java forums and communities.
Pros: Prepares for real-world coding interviews. cons: won’t help you without additional sources.
Well, we finally reached the end of our list of the best books to learn java. Kudos for being so patient and curious!
Have you already read some of them? Do you have other books to recommend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
previously posted on the codegym blog.