Concepts Computing with Java2 Essentials, by Cay Horstmann (c.2000)
This is an earlier version of the listed book. Not sure how much it has changed.
Follows the "objects early" approach - starting with using objects right away, then developing simple classes
and adding more background. As well, graphical applications are started pretty early (though can be omitted
without effect on the rest of the topics). Details of classes can be delayed until after decisions and iteration.
Very readable text. Testing chapter is very nice.
Useful extras: common errors, productivity hints, quality tips, random facts. Each chapter divided into
essential/useful/optional. A lot of the examples are bank accounts, etc. (not too interesting), Appendices
offer good summaries.
Based on topics for CS123, this book has a lot of extras that will not be used.
chapter 1: introduction (background, intro to programming process, first look at objects - using them,
algorithms)
chapter 2: fundamental data types (number types, assignment, type conversion, constants, Strings,
input with ConsoleReader class [author developed], input in standard java/exceptions)
chapter 3: classes (developing a simple class, defining methods and instance variables, constructors,
discovering classes, copying references, null)
chapter 4: applets and graphics (html, applets, pictures, drawing reading text input in an applet)
chapter 5: decisions (if, relational operators, comparing values and references, switch, nesting if, booleans)
chapter 6: iteration (while, for, do, scope of variables, nested, reading input, break, tokenization,
random numbers)
chapter 7: more about methods (parameters, accessor, mutator, side effects, static methods, call by value and
call by reference, return, static variables, variable lifetime, initialization and scope,
preconditions, recursion
chapter 8: testing and debugging (unit tests, selecting test, evaluating, program traces, assertions, debugger,
strategies
chapter 9: inheritance (intro, upcasting/downcasting, hierarchies, overriding, polymorphism, interfaces,
visibility, Object class and overriding its methods, packages)
chapter 10: event ...