Best Java Books for New Programmers in 2020

Java has been one of the most popular programming languages for years: folks who have Java skills command outstanding salaries and can write their own ticket at top-notch tech firms. You can join the club and pick up Java skills through a variety of options such as bootcamps or online courses, but one of the best methods of learning Java is to read a few books on the subject. The best Java books introduce the language and programming concepts in an easy and understandable manner and can give you the sort of training hiring managers like to see. 

This guide will point you in the direction and ensure that you have a solid start to your Java programming education. We looked at the top Java books for beginners and found the ones that work the best for different education styles. In this article, you’ll get recommendations for books that instruct through imagery and examples as well as for books that walk you through your own hands-on Java work. There’s a ton of Java books out there, so we’ve done the work and narrowed down the list for you. 

Learn Java in 1 Day

When you decide to learn a language such as C or Java, time is often a factor. Odds are that you already have a job or attend school and don’t have gobs of time just sitting around that you can spend picking up programming chops. There’s a whole group of books that have just this notion in mind—you can read these quick-learn books in a short time and get some fundamentals down. If you have the right temperament, these sorts of books are perfect for you and allow you to learn while still maintaining a full life.

Krishna Rungta’s Learn Java in 1 Day: Complete Beginner’s Guide is an excellent example of this genre and gives you everything you need to start playing with Java in a short time. The book gives you a rundown of the core Java concepts including arrays, loops, methods, variables, lambda expressions, and more. You’ll also find out about Java-supported frameworks such as Eclipse, Oracle, and Swing. With dedication, you can use this book to become a Java-coding monster in no time at all.

Java: A Beginner’s Guide

The quick-learn books are great if you can learn coding languages like Java and Go without getting much of the surrounding context and explanations. But if you prefer a methodical and more comprehensive Java training manual, you’ll want to look into some of the books that go more in-depth and offer a more well-rounded programming education. These books introduce you to concepts that apply to all programming and show you more than the language. When you pick up a more in-depth book like Java: A Beginner’s Guide by Herbert Schildt, you get an education into software development process and technique.

Java: A Beginner’s Guide is an ambitious book, and it lives up to the ambitions. The book contains lessons and practical information for new Java coders and folks who are programming novices overall, but it also contains tricks, tips, and instruction for more advanced students. This is the sort of book you’ll want to keep next to your computer at fingertip’s length so you can consult it whenever you run into an issue you’ve never dealt with before. Use this book to learn about how the different Java versions, including Java 9, function.

Beginning Java Programming for Dummies

Ah, the venerable Dummies series. Responsible for teaching subjects as diverse as woodworking and child care in a manner accessible to even the barest novice. We’ve all seen these yellow-and-blue manuals, smiling out at us and seeming to say, “We’ve got your back, friend. Never fear.” Of course they’ve written a training manual for Java. It’s popular, it’s up-to-date, and it’s a surprisingly good and comprehensive book for those Java hopefuls with zero knowledge on the subject.

Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies by Barry Burd has all of the features we’ve come to associate with the Dummies series. The book contains tips and crucial information in highlights, and it walks you through the install of Eclipse IDE so that you can put the learning to practical use as you read. You’ll create a Java program as you read, and you’ll be able to add to and expand it with each additional lesson. If you’re a raw recruit and want a combination of challenge and careful hand-holding, this is the book for you. 

Murach’s Java Servlets and JSP

If you want to get a web design job that uses Java, you need to have a handle on JSPs and servlets. Java employs servlets and JSPs to build secure web apps in an MVC pattern, which can be a confusing mess to brand-new Java developers. Current or future programmers who want JSP and servlet training would do well with Murach’s Java Servlets and JSP by Joel Murach and Michael Urban. You can use the book to beef up your web development knowledge and get ready for your next job interview.

This training manual requires its readers to have a little prior Java knowledge, but a new Java learner will find this book invaluable a short while after starting their studies. You’ll get information on using cookies, JavaBeans, custom tags, and sessions to create robust web apps. The book also helps you to master SSL connections, authentication, listeners, JavaMail, filters, and encryption. It’s the sort of book you’ll consult for years.

So there you are, Java-loving future developers. People who know Java make big bucks and work in exciting and engrossing environments. You can pick up Java training through all manner of media, but one of the best ways of getting your education is through books on the subject. Our guide gives you details on the Java books that can take a beginner from zero to sixty in record time.