Comparison

Java in two Semesters, Quentin Charatan and Aaran Kans, McGraw Hill, 2002

Java for Students, Douglas Bell and Mike Parr, Prentice Hall, 2002

Basics

 

Bell & Parr

Charatan & Kans

commentary

Price in UK (Amazon.co.uk as at 17 May 2002)

£30.99

£29.99

same

Price in USA (Amazon.com as at 17 May 2002)

$72

not available

 

pages

634

606

same

CD

no

yes

 

Emphasis and Style

 

Bell & Parr

Charatan & Kans

commentary

for novices?

yes, simple ideas first, step-by-step, bottom up. Spends 140 pages on the simpler ideas.

yes, but it is a conceptually fast start. Spends only 64 pages on these simpler ideas.

Bell & Parr has simpler treatment

uses graphics?

yes, major role from the start (chapter 3)

introduced late, with a minor role (chapter 9, page 212). Instead uses text input and output.

Bell & Parr better - graphics is more fun than text

uses GUIs ?

uses graphical user interfaces from the outset (chapter 2)

delays using GUIs until quite late (chapter 9, page 212). Instead uses console input and output.

Bell & Parr better - GUIs are more fun than console input-output

applets or applications?

applets (web oriented)

applications

Bell & Parr better because it is more web oriented

arrays and collections

not until chapter 13, page 223

introduced very early - chapter 6, page 111

Bell & Parr better because this is a not a novice topic.

uses UML

yes, lightly as appropriate, e.g. page 151, 188

yes, heavily from the outset, e.g. page 13, 68, 69

Bell & Parr better

uses AWT predominantly

yes

yes

same

has chapter on Swing

yes

yes

same

uses special software

no

yes, available on CD or web site

Bell & Parr better because many students and lecturers dislike using special software.

Other issues

 

Bell & Parr

Charatan & Kans

commentary

student readability

simple start, step-by-step, with complete programs from the start

some difficult concepts early, e.g. chapter 4, with some incomplete programs.

Bell & Parr better - with slower, simpler treatment

topic coverage:

how deep/broad

largely appropriate for novices

largely appropriate for novices

same

learning resources - CD

none

CD includes:

  1. JBuilder 3
  2. code of examples

Charatan & Kans wins by providing Java development system for Windows on CD.

Bell & Parr readers can download from Borland web site.

learning resources - web site

includes:

  1. code of examples
  2. answers to exercises
  3. discussion forum

includes:

  1. code of examples

Bell & Parr wins with more comprehensive web site

illustrations

 

 

comparable

topic organisation, layout and design

 

 

see student readability above

problem sets

self test questions throughout the text.

Comprehensive exercises at end of each chapter

limited exercises at end of each chapter.

Bell & Parr wins with better problems sets for the reader

 

Greatest strengths of Bell & Parr against Charatan & Kans

  1. Bell & Parr starts simply, with down-to-earth practical issues and builds up towards more conceptual material, whereas Charatan & Kans starts with an abstract treatment.
  2. Bell & Parr uses GUIs and graphics predominantly and from the start. Less exciting, Charatan & Kans uses console input-output predominantly, without graphics, and from that start.
  3. Bell & Parr has self test questions throughout the text and comprehensive exercises at the end of each chapter, whereas Charatan & Kans has limited exercises.
  4. Charatan & Kans introduces writing classes too early in an abstract way. Bell & Parr introduces writing classes at an appropriate stage, using practical examples.