The first week looks at Java platform basics, including Java's virtual machine and language fundamentals (such as data types, variables, and flow control statements). The ins and outs of object design, including inheritance and overloading methods and AWT applet programming come next. (For browser compatibility, the authors rely on JDK 1.02 functionality.) After a quick look at graphics programming (including the new Java 2D API), the authors explore a variety of options for animation, including double-buffering. They finish this group of lessons with information on basic AWT component programming, including short examples using AWT controls.

By the third week of lessons, the book covers ad hoc topics, including a clear explanation of Java packages (and exactly what those public, protected, and private keywords mean). A section on Java streams lays the groundwork for simple Internet programming (specifically, downloading a URL). Several chapters on the new Swing interface classes explore the simpler Swing components, such as images, sliders, and scrollbars (though advanced controls, such as table and trees, are not covered).

A bonus section--seven days of lessons beyond SAMS's standard three-week format--testifies to the richness of the Java 2 platform. Here the authors cover such useful Java topics as JDK command-line tools, signed Java applets, JavaBeans, and JDBC database programming. With its comprehensible format and often witty writing style, this text delivers an appealing introduction to some of the best of today's Java. --Richard Dragan

I read the book cover to cover, and since this is the professional edition it also has an extra bonus week which covers important concepts like Signing applets, data structures, JavaBeans and how to connect to databases throught JDBC.

This book boldly claims to help you teach yourself Java 2 in 21 days. If you put some effort into it, that's about as long as it'll take.. Some "days" will take you an hour or two, while others will take you 4-5 hours to grasp and go through the examples.

Pros:
* Quite extensive material
* Fairly well written
* Has that extra 7 days worth of more advanced stuff as opposed to the regular edition.
* Good reference to have after you're done reading it

Cons:
* A bit too much emphasize on AWT/Swing - Could've concentrated a bit more on the meat 'n potatoes of Java.

All in all, a very good buy, and a good reference to have after you finish it.

I read the book cover to cover, and since this is the professional edition it also has an extra bonus week which covers important concepts like Signing applets, data structures, JavaBeans and how to connect to databases throught JDBC.

This book boldly claims to help you teach yourself Java 2 in 21 days. If you put some effort into it, that's about as long as it'll take.. Some "days" will take you an hour or two, while others will take you 4-5 hours to grasp and go through the examples.

All in all, a very good buy, and a good reference to have after you finish it.

I was tempted into skipping to the chapters I found most interesting (JDBC and OOD), but don't be. Lemay and Cadenhead have ordered the introduction of concepts perfectly. Even if you know you'll never use it, drag yourself through AWT. You'll be building skills which will pay off handsomely in the later chapters. There are no formal exercises, so to get the most out of this book, type up and compile every example as well as reading through the text. Lemay and Cadenhead's irreverent jokes and references will help you along with a chuckle or two.

Overall, both the cost of the book and the time efficient manner in which you can teach yourself foundation Java2 skills are a great value.