Now that you have finished this book, you might be wondering where you can go to improve your Java programming skills. This appendix lists some books, World Wide Web sites, Internet discussion groups, and other resources you can use to expand your Java knowledge.
A worthwhile successor to this book is Teach Yourself Java 1.1 in 21 Days. This book teaches Java to people who have had an introduction to programming--either with another language, such as Visual Basic, C, or C++, or a beginning Java book such as this one. Although some of the material in Teach Yourself Java 1.1 in 21 Days will review what you have learned in the past 24 hours of tutelage, the majority of the material will be new. I highly recommended this book as a follow-up to what you've learned here.
Sams.net Publishing is the leader in Java programming books, and there are numerous books from Sams.net you should consider reading as you develop your skills. The following list includes ISBN numbers, which will be needed at bookstores if they don't currently carry the book you're looking for:
Several of these books, including the first edition of Teach Yourself Java in 21 Days, are available in full on the World Wide Web at the Sams Publishing Developers' Resource Center:
http://www.mcp.com/sams
The Resource Center includes the Macmillan Online Bookstore, links to author Web sites, and weekly chats by Sams.net writers. It's a good place to see what's coming up from Sams and to ask questions of some experienced veterans of Java programming and other Internet-related developments.
As you learned during Hour 3, "Vacationing in Java," JavaSoft maintains an active Web site at the following address:
http://java.sun.com
Because JavaSoft is the division of Sun responsible for the Java language, this site is the first place to go when looking for Java-related information. New versions of the Java Developer's Kit and other programming resources are available from this site.
The site is broken down into the following areas:
http://www.javasoft.com/nav/read/faqindex.html
This site is continually updated with free resources of use to Java programmers. One thing you might want to take advantage of immediately is the Getting Started With Java page at the following address:
http://java.sun.com/starter.html
This page features a step-by-step introduction for new Java programmers. Although much of the material will be a review after going through the preceding 24 hours, it's a good chance to practice your skills and see more of what's offered on the JavaSoft site.
Because so much of the Java phenomenon has been inspired by its use on Web pages, a large number of Web sites focus on Java and Java programming.
Those of us who write Java books like to think that you're forsaking all others by choosing our work. However, anecdotal studies (and the number of Java books on our shelves) indicate that you might benefit from other books devoted to the language.
Stephen Pietrowicz of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications maintains a list of current and upcoming Java- and JavaScript-related books. You can find it at the following address:
http://lightyear.ncsa.uiuc.edu/~srp/java/javabooks.html
Another rundown of Java-related books is presented by Elliotte Rusty Harold, the author of one of the books described on the Web page. Harold's list, with reviews of many of the books, is available at the following page:
http://sunsite.unc.edu/javafaq/books.html
Because Java is an object-oriented programming language, it is easy to use resources created by other programmers in your own programs. Before you start a Java project of any significance, you should scan the World Wide Web for resources that you might be able to use in your program.
The place to start is Gamelan, the Web site that catalogs Java programs, programming resources, and other information. Visit the following address:
http://www.gamelan.com
Gamelan is the most comprehensive directory of its kind on the Web, surpassing even JavaSoft's own site in the depth of its coverage. It has become the first place that a Java programmer registers information about a program when it is completed. Gamelan staff members update the site on a daily basis. Gamelan also highlights the best submissions to its directory at the following page:
http://www.gamelan.com/special/picks.html
To access another directory that rates Java applets, direct your Web browser to the following address:
http://www.jars.com
The apple logo of the Java Applet Rating Service (JARS) can be seen on numerous Java applets offered on Web pages. The JARS site has been expanded recently to include news about the language and related developments, reviews of Java development tools, and other useful information.
One of the best magazines that has sprung up to serve the Java programming community is also the cheapest. JavaWorld is available for free on the World Wide Web at the following address:
http://www.javaworld.com
JavaWorld publishes frequent tutorial articles along with Java development news and other features, which are updated monthly. The Web-only format provides an advantage over some of its print competitors such as Java Report in the area of how-to articles. As an article is teaching a particular concept or type of programming, JavaWorld can offer a Java applet that demonstrates the lesson.
As a complement to the Java FAQ lists that are available on the JavaSoft Web site, Java programmers using Internet discussion groups have collaborated on their own list of questions and answers.
Elliotte Rusty Harold, one of the keepers of the Java books Web pages, also offers the current Java FAQ list at the following address:
http://sunsite.unc.edu/javafaq/javafaq.html
Another similar resource, titled the "Unofficial Obscure Java FAQ," was begun to answer some less frequently asked questions. It's at the following Web page:
http://k2.scl.cwru.edu/~gaunt/java/java-faq.html
One of the best resources for both novice and experienced Java programmers is Usenet, the international network of discussion groups that is available to most Internet users. The following are descriptions of some of the several Java discussion groups available on Usenet:
If you're one of those folks who is learning Java as part of your plan to become a captain of industry, you should check out some of the Java-related job openings that become available. Several of the resources listed in this appendix have a section devoted to job opportunities.
If you might be interested in joining JavaSoft itself, visit the following Web page:
http://www.javasoft.com/aboutJavaSoft/jobs/index.html
JavaWorld offers a Career Opportunities page that often has several openings for Java developers:
http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/common/jw-jobop.html
One tactic that can make Java employers aware of your skills is to register yourself as a resource for the Gamelan directory. Gamelan will add you to its site, and this listing might result in e-mail about Java-related job assignments. To find out about registering yourself, head to the following address in the Add a Resource section of Gamelan:
http://www.gamelan.com/submit/submit_person.shtml
Although this Web page isn't specifically a Java employment resource, the World Wide Web site Career Path enables you to search the job classifieds of more than two dozen U.S. newspapers. You have to register to use the site, but it's free, and there are more than 100,000 classifieds that you can search using keywords such as Java or Internet. Go to the following address:
http://www.careerpath.com
