While many computer science textbooks try to cover everything, what sets this one apart is its economy. The authors introduce key programming terms and concepts (like flow control, recursion, and objects) without getting bogged down in every language feature or abstract concept. By providing custom classes for console I/O and graphics output, this book helps you write Java code successfully without listing pages and pages of Java APIs. (For this reason, it is probably aimed more at undergraduates than busy working business programmers, though its tour of basic Java will help anyone start mastering the language.)

The tone of this textbook is patient and articulate but never pedantic. Short programming exercises frame each chapter, and the lab exercises (many of which feature graphics) are just excellent. The book closes with some theoretical material on Turing machines--a staple of traditional computer science, but even these concepts are explained with exceptional clarity.

In all, Java Elements proves that an introductory computer science textbook can use Java effectively while introducing terms and ideas that will apply to any language. Whether you are a student or want to learn Java at home, this book can let you start using today's hottest programming language productively in your own projects. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Java primitive types, objects, strings, random numbers, elements package (authors' custom Java classes for programming demos), stream I/O, graphical output, condition and flow control, methods and functions, strings manipulation, recursion, arrays and the Vector class, custom classes, interfaces, recursive structures and linked lists, threading and synchronization basics, Java Virtual Machine (JVM), introduction to Turing machines and parallel random access machines (RAMs), programming problems and solutions, lab exercises, and appendixes for core Java classes.