Java for the Beginning Programmer teaches Java to someone with absolutely no programming background. This book focuses on core programming topics such as variables, looping, subroutines, and program layout. This course focuses on real programming techniques, and not using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to generate code. This course ends with an introduction to graphical user interface programming.

http://www.heatonresearch.com/articles/series/15/

Thanks for sharing this java link. I first started learning java from the official sun microsystems website last year, but I gave up because I got bored of it. I do want to attempt learning java again sometime though.

I will probably go to this website and see what I think of the tutorial. It might even be better than Sun's tutorial

If you want to learn, and I mean really learn Java, then I suggest picking up Head First Java 2nd Edition by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. This book was the first of its kind to employ a modern cognitive science (the science of learning) technique called meta-cognition. The whole point of these series of books is to ensure that you really learn and understand the material and have it all stick. The format of these series of books is unique in terms of layout and presentation. These books strive to engage you as much as they can resulting in a fun read.

Check out other titles in this amazing series of books at Head First Labs . I've purchased a number of them myself and I am happy to say that not one of them has yet to disappoint me.

If, however, you don't want to fork out any cash, you can always read Sun Microsystems' Java Tutorial. It also available for download.

If you plan to get certified as a Java Programmer then your best bet is SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 5 Study Guide (Exam 310-055) also by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. This book is S-O-L-I-D. Using this book alone I was able to pass my SCJP with a high score. It even has extra chapters for the follow up Sun Certified Java Developer Exam. So you're really getting two books in one.

*Note: All underlined text are links.

This post has been edited by dimumurray: Aug 5 2008, 12:55 PM

Hello everybody,

I think you beginners can use this site http://www.javabeginner.com/ as reference, here is the description:
Javabeginner.com is a beginner Java tutorial site that attempts to teach basics of Java programming Language in plain English using huge number of java source code examples spread across various topics. This site is for absolute starters to learn java who do not require any prerequisite Java knowledge. This site can also be used by advanced java developers. This site has links to some of my other sites that will help you in learning advanced Java topics and other technical subjects.

Java has evolved to be the most predominant and popular general purpose programming language of the current age. Java is a simple, portable, distributed, robust, secure, dynamic, architecture neutral, object oriented programming language. It was developed by Sun Microsystems. This technology allows the software designed and developed once for an idealized ‘virtual machine’ and run on various computing platforms.

Java plays a significant role in the corporate world. Companies of all sizes are using Java as the main programming language to develop various applications/projects world wide. It has found its use in various sectors including banking, insurance, retail, media, education, manufacturing and so on. E-commerce, Gaming, Mobile, Embedded, Media and many more types of applications are being developed using Java. Organizations are developing mission critical applications using Java technologies. This necessitates the corporations to hire highly skilled java developers. On the other hand it opens the doors for many opportunities for java developers. There is significant demand for java developers with sound technical skills. Now Colleges and Universities all over the world are using it in their introduction courses as well as their junior and senior software engineering courses.

This site was developed considering the importance of this language and the benefits that it provides to corporations, developers, students, education institutions and more. Javabeginner.com is free online Java tutorial site with a huge number of java programs for java development. This site is evolving with more content, features, links and useful information. If you have any suggestions, feedback, concerns, corrections or questions please communicate through Feedback section.

Please click here to begin your journey to Java world.

Wow, very nice sites listed here. I may have to check up on these sometime. I started C++ in school but didn't really find it all that interesting. I did notice Java and C++ are really close to one another though. Thanks for the links!