Hello, I want to get into android development but I don't know enough about java to start yet. Does anybody know of any good java books that teaches all of the core language and/or the swing class sets, among other stuff. I know enough java to make a text black jack game or a small graphical applet. Even if you can point me to a website that would be great. Thanks.

Hey Crusable! Just saw your reply on my post :]

Anyway, for Java books I have several in my bookshelf but I think the one I find the most useful is Java All in One For Dummies. It's a pretty thick book but it's not heavy and it's jam packed with information. The style is highly accessible and rarely is it dry like the other Java books I have. And speaking of the other Java books I have in case you would want to check those out as well I have Learning Java from O'Reilly, Killer Game Programming in Java from O'Reilly again, and Developing Games in Java by David Brackeen. I have other small books but I mainly used those for the exercises when I was just learning computer science for the very first time. The two books by O'Reilly have a lot of information but I personally find them very dry.

All in all I think my favorite recommendation to give is the All in One Java for Dummies book :] it covers all the core classes and gives you a good working knowledge of Swing. Killer Game Programming in Java has a more extensive coverage of Swing and the likes but it is more hefty, more expensive, and really really dry. Good luck with Java and Android development!

-Adrian

Thanks for the reply

Bruce Eckel's book is good for a quick run through the language, but if you're a total beginner it's far too harsh:

http://mindviewinc.com/Index.php

Check out these tutorials on youtube. They'll save your life:

Derek Banas:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGLfVvz_LVvQUjiCc8lUT9aO0GsWA4uNe

Prof Gustin:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB4253C81CD49FF26

The best way to learn Java/Android is to just get started. Once you've learned all the basic rules of inheritance and polymorphism (which is infinitely easier in Java than C++), you should just start with Android. Those video tutorials can help you.