Here, we will list our pick of the ten best Java books. Java is a well-known programming language, thanks to its platform-independent feature. This feature enables us to write the code once for any platform and run it on other platforms having Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.
Therefore, ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere’ is the primary objective of Java. Another reason for the widespread popularity of Java is that it is an object-oriented programming language, which means developers can create clean code with a neat structure. James Gosling at Sun Microsystems developed Java back in the year 1995.
Java has made a remarkable place in the programming world, and today, it is ranked as one of the top programming languages . It is majorly utilized for developing back-end, web and Android applications, machine learning projects, and big data applications.
This article will introduce you to some significant features of Java that make it a powerful and versatile programming language. In addition, we will discuss the 10 most popular Java books that can help you learn the fundamentals of Java and become a professional Java developer.
Main Features of Java
Sun Microsystems have developed Java as a feature-rich programming language. Below are some of the significant features of Java:
1. Simple to Learn and Use
Java is a simple language, as it does not involve any intricate functionalities like C or C++. Moreover, it eliminates various ambiguous concepts from C and C++, like multiple inheritance, goto statements, operator overloading, explicit pointers, and preprocessors. Also, the basic programming concepts of Java are analogous to C and C++. Therefore, having good knowledge of C and C++ would make it easier for you to learn Java.
2. Compiled and Interpreted
Programming languages can either be compiled or interpreted. But Java can be both compiled and interpreted. This striking feature makes the Java programming language more flexible. The Java compiler (javac) first converts the source code into an intermediate code, called bytecode. Later, Java Virtual Machine (JVM) translates the compiled bytecode, which is platform-independent, into machine code.
3. Platform-independent
Java is platform-independent. This means that the Java code compiled on one system can run on other systems that have Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.
4. Object-oriented
Java is purely an object-oriented programming language as it supports inheritance, encapsulation, and abstraction. In addition, Java uses objects and classes for storing data and programs, and it is not possible to develop an executable program in Java without using classes.
5. Robust and Secure
Java is a robust language because it can handle runtime errors, supports exception handling , avoids explicit pointers, and supports automatic garbage collection. As the source code is checked twice, at runtime and compile time, it becomes easier to eliminate errors in Java code. In addition, when compared to C and C++, Java is more secure.
C and C++ manage their application memory and protect data using pointer values. Unfortunately, malicious hackers or attackers can use pointers to access memory and steal confidential data. On the other hand, Java does not support explicit pointers and uses data management systems and its own memory to block such unauthorized access to data.
6. Multi-threaded and Interactive
Java supports multithreading, i.e., executing multiple tasks or running different portions of the same program simultaneously. It divides the source code into smaller units and runs multiple units parallelly. In addition, Java is interactive because it supports Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Character User Interface (CUI) programs. It significantly enhances the interactive performance of graphical applications.
10 Best Java Books for Beginners and Experienced Programmers
As Java is a versatile and award-winning programming language, learning it would help you get various career opportunities. Below are some of the highest-rated Java books that can assist you in developing Java skills.
1. Effective Java
Author: Joshua Bloch
Let's start our list of the best Java books with Effective Java, an ideal book for beginners and intermediate-level developers willing to learn Java. This book will make you familiar with the 78 best practices to write Java code efficiently.
The author has classified all 78 best practices into 11 categories. In addition, this Java book introduces you to advanced-level Java concepts, like libraries, methods, objects, serialization, and classes.
Additionally, the book will introduce you to various popular Java libraries, including java.util, java.io, java.lang, and java.util.concurrent. This book is available in Kindle and Paperback formats.
About the Author
Joshua Bloch is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Formerly, he was a Chief Java Architect at Google, Senior Systems Designer at Transarc, and Distinguished Engineer at Sun Microsystems. He holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University and B.S. in computer science from Columbia University.
Publisher:
Addison Wesley
Paperback Print Length:
414 pages
You can buy this book from here .
2. Java - The Complete Reference
Author: Herbert Schildt
As its name suggests, Java - The Complete Reference is among the best resources for learning Java programming comprehensively. It is a 1000-page book that teaches each aspect of Java clearly and concisely. Initially, this book explains Java’s primary topics, like code compilation, debugging, and execution of Java code.
In this book, the author introduces you to intermediate Java concepts, like keywords, syntaxes, control structures, and constructs. In addition, you will also get to know various aspects of the Java API library, like the String library, I/O classes, Collections Framework, and so on.
The author also explains Java servlets, Swing, and JavaBeans with understandable and straightforward examples. Additionally, Java - The Complete Reference enables you to develop an understanding of several advanced Java concepts, including multithreaded programming, lambda expressions, the Stream API, interfaces and packages, exception handling, and enumerations. The book is available in Kindle and Paperback formats.
About the Author
Herbert Schildt is one of the best programming authors across the globe. He has extensively written in various programming languages, including Java, C, C++ and C# .
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Paperback Print Length:
1,248 pages
You can buy this book from here .
3. Java Concurrency in Practice
Author: Tim Peierls, Doug Lea, Brain Goetz, David Holmes, Joshua Bloch, and Joseph Bowbeer
Java Concurrency in Practice is one of the must-have Java books to develop an in-depth understanding of concepts like concurrency and multithreading. However, some concepts of this book may be challenging for beginners to understand quickly.
This Java book not only allows you to understand all theoretical concepts of concurrency and multithreading but also assists in developing scalable, maintainable, and reliable concurrent applications.You will learn patterns, mental models, and design rules to develop concurrent Java programs effortlessly and efficiently.
The authors have also described various approaches to developing thread-safe classes, do’s and don'ts for performance optimization, and how to test concurrent programs. The book also covers high-level concepts, like Java Memory Model, nonblocking algorithms, and atomic variables. You can buy this book in Paperback and Kindle formats.
About the Author
Tim Peierls is one of the members of the Java Community Process JSR 166 Expert Group (Concurrency Utilities). Also, he has served on many other JCP Expert Groups.
Doug Lea is one of the experts on object-oriented technology and software reuse. He is a computer science professor at SUNY Oswego. Also, he is the co-director of the Software Engineering Lab at the New York Center.
Brain Goetz has over 20 years of experience in the software industry. He is one of the primary members of the Java Community Process JSR 166 Expert Group (Concurrency Utilities).
David Holmes is the director of DLTeCH Pty Ltd, located in Brisbane, Australia.
Joshua Bloch is a principal engineer at Google. Also, he is a Jolt Award winner. Joseph Bowbeer is a software architect at Vizrea Corporation.
Publisher:
Pearson Education India
Paperback Print Length:
403 pages
You can buy this book from here .
4. Head First Object-Oriented Analysis & Design
Author: David West, David Mclaughlin, and Gary Pollice
No list of best Java books is complete without Head First Object-Oriented Analysis & Design. This book will help you learn how to analyze, design, and develop robust object-oriented software that is reusable, maintainable, and flexible.
The authors will help you understand how to utilize object-oriented principles, such as delegation and encapsulation, to build flexible Java applications. Additionally, you will get acquainted with various design patterns that can help you develop better Java software.
Through this Java book, you can also learn how to leverage UML, use cases, and diagrams to ensure that software under development successfully meets the requirements of stakeholders.
After finishing this book, you will develop a sound understanding of the Open-closed Principle (OCP) and Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) . This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
About the Author
David West worked for many years at Rational Software, where he held many positions, including the project manager. As a product manager, he introduced the idea of process plug-ins and agility.
David Mclaughlin is a best-selling and award-winning non-fiction writer. He has written a variety of books on computer programming.
Gary Pollice has over 35 years of experience in the software industry. Also, he is a self-labeled curmudgeon.
Publisher:
Shroff/O’Reilly
Paperback Print Length:
648 pages
You can buy this book from here .
5. Head First Design Patterns
Author: Elisabeth Robson and Eric Freeman
Head First Design Patterns is the best Java book for beginners that introduces readers to the most common design patterns to build reusable, reliable, and fully functional software. Also, the book helps you find answers to many questions, such as why composition is better than inheritance and many others.
The authors have described Java concepts in the form of captivating illustrations in the book, making it effortless for you to understand them. This book is exclusively available in Paperback format.
About the Author
Elisabeth Robson is the co-founder of WickedlySmart. Eric Freeman was a CTO of Disney Online at The Walt Disney Company for more than a decade. Currently, he spends his time on WickedlySmart, a startup that he co-created with Elisabeth Robson.
Publisher:
Shroff/O’Reilly
Paperback Print Length:
672 pages
You can buy this book from here .
6. Core Java Volume I - Fundamentals
Author: Cay S. Horstmann Number
Six on our list of the best Java books is Core Java Volume I - Fundamentals. This Java book is ideal for you if you wish to develop sustainable and robust Java code. Also, the book will help you gain a practical understanding of core Java and API concepts with multiple realistic examples. The examples are compatible with Java SE 9, 10, or 11.
Some major Core Java concepts covered in this book include lambda expressions, exception handling, and interfaces. With this Java book, you can learn how to use JShell’s read-eval-print loop (REPL) feature to develop code rapidly and quickly.
Moreover, you will get in-depth knowledge about fundamental Java and UI programming concepts, including objects, Swing design, concurrency, collections, functional programming , and generics. This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
About the Author
Cay S. Horstmann is a professor of computer science at San Jose State University. He is a Java Champion and has written dozens of books on computer programming.
Publisher:
Prentice-Hall
Paperback Print Length:
928 pages
You can buy this book from here .
7. Java: A Beginner’s Guide
Author: Herbert Schildt
It is a definitive guide for individuals new to Java programming as well as seasoned Java programmers looking forward to enhancing their knowledge and skills. In the initial parts of Java: A Beginner’s Guide, the author focuses on describing how to write, compile, and run Java code. Later, he discusses the syntax, keywords, and constructs of Java.
Also, the book talks about advanced Java concepts, like lambda expressions, multithreaded programming, Swing, modules, and generics. One particular advantage of learning Java from this book is that it introduces you to Java’s interactive programming tool, JShell. Java: A Beginner’s Guide is available in Paperback and Kindle editions.
About the Author
Herbert Schildt is an award-winning author. He is also known as a renowned authority on Java, C#, and C++.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Paperback Print Length:
720 pages
You can buy this book from here .
8. Head First Java
Author: Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra
Head First Java is one of the simplest yet most effective books to learn Java skills. This book assists you in learning Java concepts quickly as it explains them using expressive visuals and puzzles. Also, it provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental and advanced concepts of Java and object-oriented programming .
The Java book introduces you to various essential Java topics, like network sockets, threads, and distributed programming. The authors have designed this book in such a way that you can understand its content easily. Head First Java book not only helps you understand Java basics but also educates you to think like a Java programmer. This book is available in Paperback and Kindle editions.
About the Author
Kathy Sierra developed educational games and software for the motion pictures industry. She has also created the first interaction design courses for UCLA Entertainment Studies.
Bert Bates is a best-selling author and has written many award-winning books on Java and other programming languages.
Publisher:
Shroff/O’Reilly
Paperback Print Length:
742 pages
You can buy this book from here .
9. Test-Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers
Author: Lasse Koskela
Test-Driven is an essential book for individuals wishing to learn how to write quirky automation testing programs. It is a perfect solution for Java developers who have experience developing automation, unit, and integration tests. Initially, this book introduces you to robust and commonly used test-driven development techniques.
Additionally, the author has explained concepts of test-driven development (TDD) and automation test-driven development (ATDD) with realistic examples that are compatible with the Java EE environment.
Also, this Java book exposes you to topics like data access code, multithreaded programs, hands-on tests to run Java code, avoiding typical TDD adoption drawbacks, and testing different Java EE components, like SpringControllers, Swing, and so on. This book's physical copy comes with free PDF, Kindle eBook, and ePub editions.
About the Author
Lasse Koskela is a methodology specialist at Reaktor Innovations. He has coached several teams in agile methods and test-driven development practices.
Publisher:
Manning Publications
Paperback Print Length:
470 pages
You can buy this book from here .
10. Java Performance: The Definite Guide
Author: Scott Oaks
Java Performance: The Definitive Guide is one of the most comprehensive Java books covering the critical aspects of Java, such as Java Virtual Machine (JVM), garbage collection, and performance tuning. The author has described how Java code behaves in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and how to tune the code to enhance its performance.
Additionally, this Java book allows you to get aware of a wide variety of processes, tools, and features used to enhance the performance of Java 7 and 8 applications. It introduces you to various techniques for handling JVM native memory and heap memory.
The book also comes in handy if you want to know how to use JSD tools, tune JVM garbage collectors, maximize Java threading, tackle performance problems in Java EE and Java SE APIs, and enhance the performance of data-driven database applications. This book is available only in Paperback format.
About the Author
Scott Oaks is a Java Technologist at Sun Microsystems. He specializes in various technologies, from the SunOS kernel to network programming.
Publisher:
Shroff/O’Rielly
Paperback Print Length:
448 pages
You can buy this book from here .
Conclusion
Java is one of the most popular programming languages. One of the most significant reasons for Java’s extensive adoption is that it is free and open-source. Also, it is a versatile programming language that you can use for building robust and high-performance software for a wide range of devices. Additionally, Java can work extremely well as a server-side language, thus making it ideal for web development.
This article lists the top 10 Java books that can help you learn all the essential concepts to start working as a Java developer.
Some of the Java books are specifically designed for beginners, whereas some are ideal for experienced programmers. Therefore, pick a book according to your experience and knowledge.
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