5 comments about Learning XML, Second Edition.

1. Most O'reilly books are praised for describing computer programming concepts in a very readable way for an educated audience. Although, Erik Ray's book is engaging enough, he has left out so much detail in the language definitions and real examples that, after reading this book, it is not possible for even an experienced programmer to actually use the material. For example, the book explains the definition of schemas (without enough detail) but how do I use a schema in a project? The intended audience for this book appears to be people who already use xml that want a refresher at an elementary level. Very disappointing.



2. I am amplifying a prior review (Daniel McKinnon's) in order to balance a misperception as to the intent and execution of the book.
   
   This is not XSLT or XPath or "DOM processing in Firefox" or "node traversals with Java", it's an introduction to XML. If you need a solid foundation upon which to base further study, I wholly recommend the book. Unlike other reviewers, I am not in search of the One Canonical Tome on a subject, because I know it doesn't exist in any genre. My needs for learning XML were basic and required a grasp of fundamentals, which you will achieve with this work.
   
   It also has numerous points of interest that a reader can use to further a study of specific issues, such as processing XML using a scripting language, or weighing a schema for implementation, and so forth. As a result, the reader is well-armed to continue learning on the specifics that are of personal interest.
   
   Ir requires a third edition to correct errors and update content, but that doesn't diminish the value of the book for anyone who wants to comprehend what XML is and is not, and what the major issues and challenges are.
   
   -Fred



3. full of nonsense in whole book.
   For example, xml schemas chapter is from page 108 to 164 about 60 pages, but realy useful w3c xml schema only take less 8 pages, others, useless, forget them.
   Hi my dear author,
   you have a lot of work to do, from simple to complex, how can you just give a long example and finish. Do you know "learning" means ***FOCUSING ON CORE***



4. 1. YOU WILL NOT TOUCH A KEYBOARD USING THIS BOOK, IT DOESN'T NOT WALK THROUGH EXAMPLES- for those books, try "XML step by step" by Young (Microsoft), and for more advanced, "XML in Action - Web Technology" by Pardi.
   
   2. THIS BOOK IS GREAT: because it teaches in a fundamentally different way. Most of what we see of XML is tags, attributes, the structure of the data in the elements, etc. But this book focus on the DOM. This crucial focus helps understand XML with its uses, XPointer, and transformation.
   
   3. If you want to do a lot with XML, beyond RSS feeds, buy this book along with a walkthrough, like the books listed above.



5. This book taught me a lot about XML and how it is used in the digital publishing world. XML is not limited to web sites and is a great resource for businesses institutions and other publishing needs where a common format is needed for each and every document.
   
   I recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about XML and how it is used.

5 comments about The Object of Java: Introduction to Programming Using Software Engineering Principles (2nd Edition) (Visual Quickstart Guides).

1. The BlueJ IDE is less than impressive, and my copy (1st edition?) has plenty of errors (diagrams and/or codesamples have typos or are "wrong" with respect to the main text) ... however ... this book teaches OBJECTS using Java, not just how to program in Java. The excercises use problems that are optimally suited to object oriented solutions. The book was never boring or hard to understand. I love this book!



2. Let me say first: I love the BlueJ environment. It is by far and away the best environment I have ever seen for learning or teaching Java. I was facinated after reading the tutorial that comes with it (from www.bluej.org), and I got this book.

   This book is okay, and has some good points to it, but the 'BlueJ' tag on the front cover is a bit misleading. I got the impression that it was added as an afterthought, and does not make really good use of the BlueJ environment.

   BlueJ opens many fascinating possibilities (calling methods directly on an object!) and not much of this is used in the book. A bit disappointing. Otherwise the book is okay.




3. The Object of Java by David D. Riley
   
   This book is less than impressive. It exhumes the need for elucidated text in the field of computer science.
   
   I am compelled to correlate this book with the awkward ramblings of Vizzini to Westley in the movie, "The Princess Bride".
   
   Reading this book was more than a slight burden. Only one who is versed in reading the writings of such authors as Joseph Cambell or Henry David Thoreau can comprehend the confusion of word and sputter heavily peppering this book.
   
   Allow me to illuminate:
   
   1) This author finds it fit to include typos and syntax errors in the example code as to completely change the meaning of the code. Only one already experienced in programming will catch such errors. Others will wallow in confusion as to why the program is not working properly, after all, they copied it from the book word for word, it should be working, right?
   
   2) In several instances, the author uses programming syntax and variable naming methods in his text that has nothing to do with the code explaination at hand. He actively titles the beginning of each sub-section as if it were a class or variable. IE: DivisionOfRadians()
   NO THAT'S NOT A CLASS! :D
   This is a common practice of David D. Rileys throughout the book, and not only for chapter sub-sections. He uses such writing methods all too liberally.
   
   3) This genius author also uses an arbitrary library called aLibrary. Good for him, he designed his own library! Since this whole book is based on the aLibrary, any real world application have just been made void. I mean seriously, try convincing your co-workers that this aLibrary is the next big thing. What happened to the commonly used AWT and Swing libraries? Hmmm, oh, it's shoved in the back index. Right where you would expect commonly used every day libraries.
   
   4) His code snippets and actual text are seperated by font style. Only problem is, you can't tell at all. His method of referring to code, methods, arguments, classes etc in his text is extremely easy to miss without paying impossibly close attention. His text is filled with inconsistencies and problems. I DO NOT recommend this book. If at all possible, avoid it entirely. For those of you who are using this book as a college text, well, all I can say is, I'm very sorry.
   
   On the bright side, his explaination of objects and classes is ... decent.



4. i had to get this book for a course i was taking at the college i go to. i cringe every time i read it because the title is a bit misleading. I thought i was going to be learning JAVA insted i'm learning how to take someone elses class files to apply them to completely meaningless projects that really dont teach anyone anything about how to program, let alone about the inner workings of the programs your working with. the teaching style is more of a top down approach rather than explaining whats going on at the lower level and you learn to program with classes to make programs at an upper level. This may work for some, it definately doesnt fly with me.
   I have read many books on C, and C++, and have paged through some promising java books (like Sun's own books on the subject).. if it werent for the requirement for this book in the class i would have passed it up INDEFINATELY!!! Peice of Krap!!!
   
   do{
   if(The object of JAVA==pickup){
   The object of JAVA = Leave it the hell alone!!!;
   else if(The object of JAVA == buy)
   {
   do{
   Beat head with stick && knock sence into head;
   burn book || return to store;
   }while(book==posession)
   }while(@bookshelf)



5. This book was a required text for my java class. In conversing with my classmates, we all agree that this book wasn't of any help. I would recommend any other book, this one is just too abstract for a beginner. It's difficult to apply the concepts, and the flow is jagged. With the addition of a teacher, and reading this book from front to back, my java class sucked hard because i didn't have that solid foundation I needed.

5 comments about Programming Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 Applications: Advanced Topics.

1. Basics of .net framework is presented in a clear and lucid style. This book is a joy to read and . by the way there is not much difference in content wise between applied .Net framework programming and this book. My only worry is the speed at which microsoft is pushing .net versions as if there is no tommorrow! [Subsequently the catch up I have to do on reading all this!]



2. The two books of this series (Core Reference & Advanced Topics) offer broad and deep coverage of ASP.NET.
   
   All the important topics of ASP.NET web sites are covered in a mostly tutorial with a little reference fashion. The books are well researched. The coverage of what really happens during compilation, request processing, and expression evaluation is excellent. The books avoid being an MSDN rehash. By carefully pointing out which ASP.NET versions support which features, the books will be useful for working with any ASP.NET version. No matter what you're working on you'll find something useful in these books. Note that web services are not covered.
   
   The terms "core reference" and "advanced topics" (which MS press is using on all the non beginner books) make no sense at all with these books. If you're serious, you need both books. Think of them as volumes 1 and 2 of a single book.
   
   I do have some issues with these books. The biggest mistake was recommending the use of GDI+ (through the System.Drawing namespace). This is not supported. The System.Drawing namespace page in MSDN states "Classes within the System.Drawing namespace are not supported for use within a Windows or ASP.NET service. Attempting to use these classes from within one of these application types may produce unexpected problems, such as diminished service performance and run-time exceptions."
   
   I didn't enjoy Dino's writing style. It's verbose (at times), he uses odd words to describe things, and was boring even by tech book standards.
   
   The chapter on configuration was difficult. It would have better to cover configuration throughout the book, in the context of what was being configured, instead of a single all configuration and only configuration chapter.
   
   The section of asynchronous pages was confusing and didn't really explain why asynchronous pages improve scalability.
   
   Despite my reservations, there is much that's good about these books. Anybody who's serious about ASP.NET should consider getting both of them.



3. I bought this book specifically for the 100+ pages on creating custom web controls. That is the only portion of the book that I have used.
   
   The book does not come with a CD for the source code examples, and I have been unable to find them online.
   
   That means I have to type in the examples. I normally don't mind, as it helps me learn. But his sample control, SimpleGaugeBar, has code scattered across two chapters (#13 and 14), all in bits and pieces. The code is intermingled with alternate code examples that (I think) he isn't using in the class, plus code from other classes apparently unrelated to SimpleGaugeBar.
   
   The sample control is also buggy. Of course, it's my guess as to the code that is supposed to be contained in the control, because there is no single definitive listing of the code in the book. I suspect the sample code is simply buggy because the event sequencing the control responds to does not match the way the control was coded.
   
   He separated the creation of the internal list of control objects and the styling code into two routines. That's probably a good idea. But, and this is a killer, if you programmatically change the properties of the control, the internal list of control objects is created *before* the new property value is set, and applies styling after the property is set. This will cause the control to fail, because the styling code will refer to objects that were not created based upon the prior property settings.
   
   The styling code also refers to objects in the internal list of controls by array index number instead of by their id. That's bad form and very prone to error.
   
   I'm not a happy customer.
   
   That said, there is a lot of material on custom controls, and I learned a lot going through it. There are not a lot of resources out there that cover this topic in any depth, and this is one of the few. So, muddled, buggy and disorganized as it is on this topic, I would recommend it (until I found something better).



4. This book rocks! I cant find anymore words to say this :D
   
   I keep this book by my computer all the time. Dino has once again provided us with some great information.



5. So whilst you are waiting for the 3.5 version you can get this one second hand.
   
   It covers loads of usefull day-to-day tasks that most web devs have to search google for. Not sure that "Advanced" is the correct choice here, but its tasks that all my senior devs are capable of.
   This said, it's a must have for any web developers desk. All of the 2.0 stuff still applies to 3.5 cant wait till the new version that would be more complete.
   However, just using his examples expressed in Listview/Datapager controls using LINQ will yeild plenty till his new book comes out.
   I can understand why the 3.5 version is delayed (seeing 4.0 is due in December), there is plenty of 'advanced' issues in using MVC to content with, then add microsofts version of Spring/NHibernate to the mix (not stable yet where as the open source Spring/NHibernate is) then you can see why there is a delay.
   
   "ASP.NET 3.5 Applications: Advanced Topics" is a moving target and will be for 6 months(conjecture) or more(features in consenus use a >12months away?).
   
   So why get "ASP.NET 2.0 Applications: Advanced Topics"?
   It will make your life easier and get projects out the door faster.
   All that you learn in this book can be applied to your 3.5 projects (we just use VS2008 and VS2003 for legacy - VS2005 has no further use).
   Likewise if your are a commerical C# developer you would use the VSTS version of 2008 due to the productivity gains unless you work in a sweat shop where labour is cheap.
   
   Related:
   
   Using ReSharper4 Power Programming with ReSharper: Optimize .NET Development with the ReSharper Add-In to Visual Studio 2008 (Wrox Briefs) offer substantial benefits for C# 3.5 users this too will have you get quality code out the door faster.
   
   Programming Microsoft ASP.NET 3.5 is a welcome addition as Dino really knows his stuff (ASP.NET/AJAX/UI)

5 comments about C# Cookbook, 2nd Edition (Cookbooks (O'Reilly)).

1. If you are just coming into C# or have been doing it for a while - it doesn't matter - BUY THIS BOOK!!! Oreilly as we all know, makes very good tech/programming books and this one is one of the best I've had so far. This will be a book that will spend much less time on my shelf and much more time next to me on my desk.



2. I came across a project that had to do with XML, and I came to love this book. It has a lot of suggestions that helped me jump start my project.
   
   I wouldn't recommend this book to learn C#- (pick up John Sharp C# step by step for that.)



3. I'm an intermediate coder, familiar with programming and I have about 1.5 years programming C#. I've already used this book(C# Cookbook 2nd edition) to write C# code navigating in and around directories and files. The examples in the book regarding "Directory Info" and "File Info" were so clear and concise, I was able to complete my programming task with almost no lost time to the learning process. What I like most was that there was not one example, but many examples for the most used functionalities. This book has already paid for itself when I consider the time it saved me the first time I needed it!



4. This is a good intro book that eliminates the need for some of the first books I bought on C#. When compared to other "cookbooks", however, this book is incredibly weak (see: XSLT Cookbook, SQL Cookbook). If you have used C# for more than 6 months, you will know how to iterate over an array, to use String.IsNullOrEmpty, get the index of a value within a string, and use a generic arraylist. These are just some of the junior "recipes" you'll see in this book. The "recipes" just exercise the fundamentals (i.e. how to boil water) rather than how the fundamentals work together to solve complex problems in elegant ways. The easier the concept, the more information. There isn't really any analysis or best-practice justification present. I'd like to see some performance analysis of generics or at least some depth on partial methods. Nothing to see here for mid-level developers. Not written or organized poorly, just simple. If it were titled "Intro to C# by example", I'd give it a higher score.



5. [Reviewed by XPSD member Steve Grubbs]
   
   Summary
   
   I wanted to check out a C# cookbook after developing in C# for almost a year. I figured I should get a basic understanding of the language and the .NET framework by using it for awhile before I buy such a book. That said, I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to get the C# Cookbook the day I started developing in C#.
   
   Overall Review
   
   I see two main criteria for reviewing a programming language cookbook.
   
   1. The quality of each "recipe"
   2. The recipes chosen for the book
   
   The C# Cookbook handles each recipe very well, which we should definitely demand of a cookbook. It has a very simple 4-section format, Problem-Solution-Discussion-See Also. The problem is briefly stated first. The solution is almost entirely code samples, with minimal commentary. The discussion is usually short and sweet, with a few exceptions. The "see also" points to reference topics in the MSDN help, which is of questionable usefulness, since you can search the topics yourself; but, is short enough to skim over easily.
   
   The recipes chosen for the C# Cookbook range from very useful to trivial. One of the trivial examples would be something like, converting degrees to radians. The only language specific feature here is Math.PI, which I don't think is worth the page it's printed on. What I found surprisingly useful were some code samples that I spent time coming up with on my own before reading this book, like a custom trace class that outputs in XML. Fortunately, most of the examples were in the useful category.
   
   A few glaring topic omissions are remoting, ADO, and advanced object serialization.
   
   Per-Chapter Review
   
   * Numbers - somewhat trivial
   * Strings and Characters - good introduction to the C# string
   * Classes and Structures - good stuff on interfaces, casting, converting, COM interop
   * Enumerations - simple, but short and useful
   * Exception Handling - an underrated topic that I'm happy to see covered
   * Diagnostics - a surprisingly useful set of tools to help with debugging
   * Delegates and Events - very good intro for the new C# programmer
   * Regular Expressions - very good intro for the new C# programmer
   * Collections - a little simple, could have more useful samples
   * Data Structures and Algorithms - simple, but good if more advanced types are required
   * Filesystem I/O - very good examples of file I/O in C#
   * Reflection - a necessary intro to reflection, but a bit simple
   * Networking - biggest complaint: Why is there no remoting?
   * Security - a good survey of various security issues in C#
   * Threading - a good intro to threads and basic synchronization in C#
   * Unsafe Code - I tore out and burned this section
   * XML - good intro to reading/writing XML in C#

5 comments about Programming Microsoft® Visual C#® 2005: The Language (Pro Developer).

1. Like many other reviewers, I purchased this book alongside the MS Press 70-536 Training Kit. This book really can only be useful for an experienced C# developer who is looking to fill in any knowledge gaps concerning the language itself. Such a person would be able to spot the numerous errors and move past them without harm done. However, I could not, in good conscience, recommend this to anyone actually seeking to learn the language.
   
   As an example, on page 21, the unary operators are described with examples for each. However, the postfix increment "++" and postfix decrement "--" operators have their examples swapped. Once again, someone already in the know wouldn't be too bothered by this and would figure it out immediately, but for others, it could result in quite a bit of confusion.



2. As an MCAD, I think this book provides excellent coverage of C#, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a reference for the language.
   
   I think some reviews on this book were looking for more of an introductory step-by-step sample format, which this is not. This is most appropriate for those with some programming background, who want to add C# to their list of languages.



3. Not only is this book a complete reference, it has relevant examples. This author seems to have years of real experience and it shows. The sections are logically ordered so that everything i'm looking for is in easy reach. This book has saved me a lot of time.



4. WAY TOO MUCH FLUFF. Buried in all of this filler text are obfuscated details of the language. There are no real examples that can be followed. I wish I could get a refund because I really feel like I wasted my money.



5. I ordered this product coz in Mexico i just couldn't find it... It seems that the best titles are only in the US and it's a good thing that we can make international orders for them.
   
   This little piece of art it's one of the bests i've had. It's very well explained and also serves as reference for specific methods.
   
   highly recommended
   
   Carlos Silva

5 comments about Creating a Web Page with HTML: Visual QuickProject Guide.

1. I have other books by Liz Castro, and she continues to make life easier for all of us who want to know more about coding and controlling our own web sites. Great introductory book on XHMTL and CSS.



2. I have been messing around for a year(!) trying various WYSIWYG software to create the simple website that I wanted. The software was much harder to master than was HTML as Elizabeth Castro explains it. I first did the projects in this book, then with the help of her HTML, XHTML & CSS book, I have finally been able to make the site I've had in my head for so long. If you are using a PC, I have one suggestion--use Notepad instead of Word to create your web pages, because it's harder to mess up on Notepad. Three cheers for Elizabeth!



3. This is a wonderful book that allows you to execute and learn good habits instead of walking you down a tutorial path. Its a quick read and excellent reference for basic tasks.
   
   If you do want to buy this book, consider getting the series.
   
   Web Page Visual QuickProject Guide Colletion (Paperback)
   by Elizabeth Castro (Author)
   
   The series was rewritten in 2006 and has the corrections to the errors in the 2004 books of the same name.
   
   The series has the HTML quickproject, Flash quickproject, and Dreamweaver quickproject. Flash and Dreamweaver are MX 2004 based but happen to have the same commands and keyboard shortcuts as the CS3 and 8 versions.
   
   Dont make the same mistake I almost made and buy this individually. I paid $1 and got it all! Its was cheaper and I obtained two other books.



4. Bought this book for a person who wanted to learn how to make simple web pages and it was a bad choice. New users benefit most from straight forward instructions and limited toolsets. This book imagines the user to be familar with (and own) photoshop as well as other tools. It would be much simpiler if the author stuck with simple, freely available tools.



5. I knew little more than how to use a MySpace type HTML editor before looking at this book, and was quite apprehensive about learning the modern hyroglyphic language called HTML. However, after reading this book, I began to see more of a language rather than a jumble of texted mess. It's simple, project based approach made understanding HTML quite easy. From beginning a website to publishing on the web, Elizabeth Castro provides a simple, yet solid foundation to learn the language of web design. Before reading it, I had no idea that you could create a website without an HTML editor like Dreamweaver.
   The author does expect you to know a little bit of image editing (i.e. Photoshop), but already knowing a good amount of Photoshop myself, the tecniques they used are simple and are among the first things you learn in any Photoshop book you pick up. Besides, if you can't edit the elements you are putting in a website anyway, HTML knowledge or not, your website will have limited potential depending on it's intended purpose.
   While any aspiring web designer will have much more to learn to create a superb site, it's very easy to see why they say you could make a web site after reading this book. If your planning on learning Dreaweaver and Flash based web techniques later, or just want to make a simple website, this book is where you need to begin your journey!
   
   I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!

5 comments about VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel (Business Solutions).

1. I found this book to be one of the best references for Excel VBA development. The book is easy to understand and follow. Contains a large amount of examples that can be easily understood. Addresses many critical aspects of excel VBA development. Not too much was spent on forms/GUI development so you will have to look elsewhere if you into that. Also addresses interfacing Excel to databases using ADO as well as API programming which is critical for superusers to extend the power of excel without the limitation of data storage. Overall, the authors have a superb job and I consider this book to be an essential of my Excel VBA library!



2. The book is useful. The worksheets downloaded from the Internet are also very clear.
   Sometimes you expect more explanations on statements which use new features not connected with the subject being reviewed.
   I think that I shall not need to purchase any other book on this subject.



3. I am very satisfied with the transaction. The shipment was on time and the product is in good quality



4. Bill Jelen is a brilliant self-promoter. His book is even more brilliant. His newsgroup, MrExcel Message Board Forum at www.mrexcel.com, is an invaluable resource.



5. If I could give 0 stars, I would.
   
   This book is poorly written and poorly edited...and I have the version "Reprinted with corrections." Flipping through it in the bookstore, it seemed promising - enough so that I actually bought it. After three chapters, however, I am ready to throw in the towel.
   
   This is a technical book. It's about programming. It contains examples of actual code. The examples have to be correct to have any credibility. Once you lose that, every line becomes suspect. Let me provide you just a few examples.
   
   On page 32, the colorindex for "yellow" is given as "6"; on page 33 it is "30".
   On page 41, "Selection is actually a property and not an object." When I reach page 50, "Selection" has become an object again.
   On page 62, in the third example within Table 3.1, the delimiting comma is inside the quotes.
   On 67, " Notice that that the offset..."
   Also on that page, the resizing example at the bottom is wrong. If I have a column and add two more to it, I end up with three. Maybe Mr. Excel is using a higher level of math when he says "Range("Produce").Resize(,2) and says "Remember, the number you resize by is the TOTAL number of rows and/or columns you want to include."
   
   What really rolled my eyes back in my head was on page 63, when I encountered .range(.range, range) with insufficient introduction. A relatively simple statement with a single range reference suddenly morphed into a triple range reference with an indecipherable comment about "an extra range at the beginning of the code line." This makes absolutely no sense, and coupled with the authoring or editing miscues mentioned earlier, it is not even possible to determine if this is a typo or simply a badly written passage.
   
   Whether I ultimately can gain any value from this book remains to be seen - assuming I am able to actually make sense of the content. For me, it was a total waste of the purchase price.

5 comments about Sams Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours (2nd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself).

1. I would recommend this book for beginers, It explains the basics of programming, and also starts you off in java , c or c++ , although you do need the compilers for c and c++.

   and also ultimatediscountbooksource@yahoo.com shipped it quickly and I had the book within a week.




2. Reads like an extended course description. Very few examples. Code examples are often incomplete so they cant be run. No real 'projects' to test any skills.

   Comes with Liberty Basic (shareware) (you can download this seperately and learn more from its own help/tutorials). For the most part, you dont even need a computer to read this book. The code examples are only excerpts so you have to study them from the text in the book anyway.

   What gets me more than anything is I found about 5 errors in code and text that are important! Things like mislabeled variables that would confuse anyone trying to learn. Although I guess finding the mistakes is a lesson in itself.

   OK, that was the bad part, but I didnt give it a score of 1 because it is easy to read (fast). It does mention a wide range of topics, and it comes with a useable version of Basic (but only limited shareware, also there is a later version online). For a real beginner, this is one way to start off slow. It is disappointing because it could have been much better with only a little more effort. A few larger examples, and a few more actual coding projects instead of just saying 'if you want to create a text box in your program, type the following line....',

   and then moving on to the next lesson.

   This review relates to the 2nd edition.




3. As many other people in this world want to do, I want to program video games in the future. The only problem was that I had no idea how to start or where to turn to for advice. I had tried to learn over the summer of this year on how to create video games, but the books that I had borrowed from my local library said that I needed to have an understanding of C/C++. And when I borrowed a C/C++ book, I didn't really read it. So I decided to give programming up... for a while at least.
   
   About a month ago, that itch to create video games came back to me when I was grounded. So I went back to my library and looked for a programming book that fit my needs. During my search, I stumbled upon "Sams Teach Yourself Beginning Porgramming in 24 Hours". And so I decided to read the introduction if I met the books requirements. When I learned that I did, I borrowed the book and began to read the book.
   
   The book mainly covers a language called Liberty BASIC (which is probably is as easy a programming language as it gets). Right out of the gate, the book lets you program your first BASIC program, a rocket launch countdown. I was suprised how easy it was to program in Liberty Basic. To me, it felt like dumbed down English. When you are finished with the Liberty BASIC training (11 hours worth), you should have a good understanding of Liberty BASIC.
   
   The book also gives you a detailed introduction to Java, but the first two chapters are only text and no examples. Those two chapters do help with the basics of Java and C/C++ (C is Java's "mother" language). When you do get to the programming part of the Java in the book (four chapters of Java in the book), you use Forte for Java (it already gives you the main code for your project). Unfortunately, I found Forte a bit intimidating at first, but when I played around with Forte a bit and got an understanding, I went through the chapters with ease.
   
   The book also gives you a taste of other languages out there (Visual Basic, C/C++, HTML, Pascal, Javascript, and .NET) I say taste because it goes over the fundamentals of each of the languages entered there. You will find C/C++ easier to understand because of your work in Java.
   
   There were some problems with the book that I found. First, there were some coding errors that I found. I found the most errors in Chapter 10, "Having Fun with Liberty BASIC". Most of the code I found put down on BASIC and ran could not run. How can you have fun with the program if you cannot run the code? More like "Getting Frustrated with Liberty BASIC". Also in Chapter 11, there is a sample code that seems to be bugged but isn't. When you get to the code that seems bugged (I forget which sample it was in the chapter) just expand the width of the window to get the result you want.
   
   There were also many dry spells in the sample code for you to write down and practice. The ones that have little or no examples in them are Chapters 2-4, 12 & 13, and 16-24.
   
   In my opinion, I would reccommend this book to anyone who is considering to explore the world of programming (either regular programming or video game programming) or anyone who wants to program but doesn't know where to begin. This book will not mold you into a good programmer, but it will lay down the necessary building blocks to becoming a regular or video game programmer.
   
   I reccomend this book for video game programmers because it will give you a basic understanding of C/C++, the typical language of game programming (this information will be useful for other books that you have your sights on and if you get another C/C++ book, you will understand some of the subjects being talked about (arrays, literals, operators, basic C/C++ procedures, etc.)
   
   Now I just need some help on what to do next...



4. That's exactly what is written on the cover. It's a good book for the people who know noting about programming and want to enter in this exiting field. The book is well written and gives you good idea about computer programming and teach you to program in Liberty Basic Which not the best choice from my point of view but it's free.



5. Well, after dedicating a solid month, I can say I finally have figured it out. This is a great book with only some typos. The beginning is far too basic even for a pre-teen, but if you dont know this info, you shouldnt continue in the book.
   
   I'm happy to say I can write simple programs now, and even made one for next April Fools!

5 comments about Oracle JDeveloper 10g for Forms & PL/SQL Developers: A Guide to Web Development with Oracle ADF (Osborne Oracle Press Series).

1. This is an excelent book for begining web development, it explains you step by step how things work and "glue" together. The only reason for me to give it 4 stars is that, in the book it explains how to build part of an application (tuhra) and it tells you to look for the rest (of the app.) on the web site..... I looked for it but it is nowhere to be found... (they only have the parts of the app. that you develope while doing the books excercises).



2. Great



3. exellent Book
   
   Goods Tips for programming Oracle ADF
   
   greetings from Toluca, EdoMex, Mex.



4. Being a traditional pl/sql developer, I was drawn to the title of the book immediately. I know I need to eventually buckle down and learn Java, but what better way than by drawing parallels to pl/sql and Forms.
   
   I like the hands-on examples that has you build a fairly complete application from scratch. I say fairly complete because its only a 500 page book and it allows the reader to go out and research ways to improve it.
   
   One of my favorite parts of the book is a summary section that shows up after a large chunk of instructions called "What did you just do?" This sums up what the reader just performed - explaining in layman's terms what you actually just did.
   
   Although I'm sure you can get similar tutorials on OTN somewhere, having a book to flip back through is always nice.



5. this book is ok.
   just like all other oracle books, they just "talk too much"..
   to much junk and too little meat...
   almost feel like they are putting in too much filler to make it to a
   500-600 page book....
   if you get the class notes from oracle's classes...it's much more compact
   and to the point.
   Too bad there is not much other jdeveloper book out there.

No comments about Java: Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming (5th Edition).