Although this book is one of the popular "Dummies" series of books, it is, of course, not recommended for dummies. Although the book is well written, its subject is not simple: the Java programming language is as complicated as any programming language and includes a number of new concepts.
However, this book does not adopt the usual systematic approach to introducing a programming language. Instead, it starts with an introduction to some basic internet issues such as hyperlinking, hypertext, and HTML. It is only at the end of the first chapter that the author ties all this together by discussing the need for Java as a solution to many internet multimedia needs.
When the book does begin its discussion of the Java programming language, it focuses on its history and its use to create applets. Applets are small Java-based mini-applications that run inside a web page. These applets are downloaded to the user's computer with the web page and can be interactive. Once on the user's computer, they can run without further interaction with the web server.
The second chapter discusses Java's role on the world wide web, discussing some of the main players in its development. This chapter also describes some example roles Java applets could play on the internet. An interesting section in this chapter discusses the role Java applets could play outside the internet environment, such as in TVs, VCRs, and appliances.
After a discussion of Java-savvy browsers, the book begins an introduction to HTML and its relationship to Java applets. The book then describes some ways to "weave" Java applets into your own web pages. It provides several examples, with the code for each applet (many example applets are also included on the CD-ROM that comes with the book).
The book describes Java as coming in two flavors: applets and scripts. The CD-ROM that is included with the book contains a great variety of both. But the most valuable content of the CD-ROM is the useful information and tools it provides to help you get started with Java applets (be sure to enable your browser's JavaScript
option). It also includes a number of starter pages (titled "Cookbook Pages") with applets and Javascripts to help you generate ideas for your own Java-powered Web site. The CD-ROM also contains many support tools for creating Java-based pages, including FTP tools to help you upload files to the Web, sound editing and conversion utilities that allow you to use your own sounds with Java applets, and image editing software so you can create (or convert) your own graphics for use with Java. To keep the information on the CD-ROM current, it also contains information about linking with the official World Wide Web upgrade site for the CD-ROM.
In addition to the Java examples on the CD-ROM, many of the chapters in this book provide Java examples and information about how to customize applets for your own use. It also describes how to find information about Java on the internet. In fact, the main strength of this book is in the extensive examples of Java applets and javascript that you can copy and use in your own web pages. This friendly and well-written book has proved to be very popular and it is recommended for anyone ready to harness the power of Java applets in web pages. On the other hand, if you are looking for a systematic introduction to the Java programming language itself, you might want to check out a general guide to Java such as The Java Programming Language by Ken Arnold and James Gosling.
