Good programming books ?

[Mandrake72]

Hi! I was thinking getting some programming books(java and python). I'm a 100% newbie and know nothing about programming and don't know which programming language is the best for beginner?
Any recommendations?
java php perl python cgi html ....

[david]

let me be the first to say that HTML isn't a programming language, it's a formatting language ;)

And there'r were a few good C/C++ books mentioned in this post: http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=002884

[kmj]

Hmm. which book is best for a beginner? Two words...

Python and Python.


oh, here's two more...

python, python..


and one more for good measure:

python

[klamath]

Ruby is also good. Java is another good choice.

Definately not C, C++ or Perl.

Once you've decided on a language, tell us which one and we can recommend the best book for newbies to that language.

You might also want to get some books on the general practice (or art) of programming: such as "Code Complete".

[Mandrake72]

thanks for reply!
ok! I want to try java and python.
Can someone recommend some books for newbies?

[Paul Weaver]

java in a nutshell - essential. Only java book I use really.. Only bok I really use I guess.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Paul:

That surprises me. "Java in a nutshell" was the only O'Reilly book I've ever been disappointed with. But of course, everyone has their own opinions. That's why there's more than one Java book. :)

I like Bruce Eckel's "Thinking In Java" but I also like all teh free documentation on Java at www.javasoft.com (http://www.javasoft.com) The entire Java API is available in html (and that's essentially the 2nd half of Java in a nutshell). They also have a very good Java tutorial at http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html

And of course, it's all free. And when you're starting to learn a new language Free is always good.

[inkedmn]

Originally posted by klamath:
<STRONG>
Definately not C, C++ or Perl.

</STRONG>

why not perl?
i'm a programming newbie and i was told that perl would be a good choice...

[kmj]

Originally posted by Paul Weaver:
<STRONG>java in a nutshell - essential. Only java book I use really.. Only bok I really use I guess.</STRONG>

yeah; man, all the info you can get in this book is already at java.sun.com... I got the book for $7 in a bargain bin, and I was still disappointed.

[kmj]

Also; don't get and "nutshell" books if you've never programmed before... get a book that actually teaches you how to program.

[Paul Weaver]

Sure its available online, but then I cant really write notes easilly on that. Also I dont want to be switching desktops to mozilla just to look up a few methods in java.lang.String. I can thake the book up to campus and us it in meetings, and I dont get distracted by LNO when looking things up.


I really only use books as a reference, I won Learning the vi editor, and its great for a reference, thats all. I havent learnt anything "new" since VB3 in 21 days.


When I first got Java in a nutshell I though - what a waste of time (just a listing of all the methods basicly), but Ive been using it more and more. Also helps to give my eyes a rest by looking down at it, and next years when I'll be net-less (aside from a modem), It'll stil be there.

[ 11 May 2001: Message edited by: Paul Weaver ]

[nanode]

Paul,

That's very sad.

Once you get rolling with a language and you only use the API reference like you'd use a dictionary to write a paper.

In general, my favorite books focus on design, rather than code semantics and language reference. That's why Bruce Eckel is so cool. He has code syntax as examples, but he also discusses how it ties in with an actual project.

The internet is the world's biggest and best reference section, but then again some people insist on paper phone books and printed job listings.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Yes nanode you're right. But I also agree with Paul when I remember that I don't want to bring a laptop with me when I'm walking around downtown looking for a place to have lunch. I love reading at lunch and it's so much easier to bring along a paper book (Unless it's "Core JINI". 1000+ pages!!)

But overall I've found O'Reilly books to be really good and Wrox books to be really bad. "Java in a nutshell" was the only O'Reilly book that disappointed me and "The XSLT Programmer's Reference" was the only Wrox book that thrilled me.

But you know what? About 7 or 8 years ago I hated O'Reilly books. I don't think MY knowledge was high enough where I could appreciate them. They were too technical and geeky to me. :)

[Paul Weaver]

Call me a luddite but nothing beats the yellow pages for fiinding a local garage. The cheap ones wont have fancy online things, and I can get a feel of the company from the ad. Also I'm not always online - or can be bothered opening up a browser.

I have seperate books for the design of programs.

What journalist would work in an office without a dictionary available? What happens when dictionary.com goes down?

[jemfinch]

Originally posted by inkedmn:
<STRONG>why not perl?
i'm a programming newbie and i was told that perl would be a good choice...</STRONG>

Perl rewards bad programming, thus leading to bad habits. Python and other languages that are good for beginners do so to a far lesser extent.

Jeremy