what book to practise Java solving "mini projects?"

I had some knowledge at the university and now I wanted to return to Java and to became an expert in that language.

I'm reading First Head Java which is a great great book, i'm loving it.

For my next step to became an expert I want to start practising and I would like if you can tell me a book or a site where I can have like "mini projects" to do for example in one week where I have to read the exercise design what I need to do and implement it. I would like something with good and different important exercises to practise....

Can you please help me with that?

gravessen please check your private messages.

The Cattle Drive has a number of increasingly difficult problems for beginners.

Thanks for your answer...

do you have somthing more?

Hi Filipe Pereira welcome to Javaranch,

Yes there's lot more if you are ready for it
But the Cattle drive is a good place to start with.

Ok thanks.

Another question, what do you think that is more interesting and with more market. programing in J2SE more closer to the database, or doing GUI's and all the code behind it to connect with the core code?

If you like mathematical puzzles, then you could try to solve the problems from Project Euler in Java.

I'm using them to learn two other programming languages (Ruby and Scala) and I've found that it works very well to learn those new languages.

You might like "Java Puzzlers - Traps, Pitfalls and Corner Cases" by Joshua Bloch and Neal Gafter, Addison Wesley. ISBN 0-321-33678.

I will take a look on puzzles...

thanks a lot. I'm new at javaranch but i'm loving your help.

What about the other question... GUI's or j2SE what's the best to learn and to become an expert?

What about the other question... GUI's or j2SE what's the best to learn and to become an expert?

Looks like you are confused among the two.
Actually you need J2SE that is Java 2 standard edition to compile and run all your code including the one that does the GUI stuff.

As far as GUI is concerned you need to use either AWT or Swing but both require knowledge of Java programming.

But to be an expert you need to think beyond J2SE because Java is not as popular for desktop and intranet applications as it is for distributed and web applications.But there is some time for you before you get your hands on J2EE.


Hope this helps

Thanks for your answer...

So I need to another book apart of Head First Java to learn J2EE ?

I don't know that you need a book for J2EE, but it's a huge topic. as others have suggested, you should become proficient in J2SE first before tackling J2EE.

Head First Servlets and JSP is a good book for the web app aspect of J2EE that you might like if you liked Head First Java.

yes I already took a look on that book.

And I think if i've loved First Head Java i will also like to read this one...

Thanks a lot! I Will try that after I finish the outstading "First Head Java"
[ July 17, 2008: Message edited by: Filipe Pereira ]

Originally posted by Paul Fairhurst:
You might like "Java Puzzlers - Traps, Pitfalls and Corner Cases" by Joshua Bloch and Neal Gafter, Addison Wesley. ISBN 0-321-33678.

Excellent book. You probably would like it, but I don't think that book is what you are asking about. There is a review of it somewhere on this page.

Why do you want to become a 'Java expert' - to get a job ?
If so, the Java skills to learn are listed in the job advertisements on your local web site. Remember LOCAL - you do not say where you live but try
Dice.com / NYTimes.com (USA) or jobserve.com (EU). Different localities require different job skills.
A hint :
Do not waste your time on Swing.
Swing is a large topic and requires Threads (also a large topic).
Most jobs are in companies (selling every thing from pizza to credit derivatives) so J2EE is the one.

Head First Java is a child's comic book. Try Sierra & Bates SCJP Guide or
(the best) Mughal & Rasmussen 'Java Certification' with extra web material (it's only Java 1.4).

All I wnat is to feel that i'm very good programming in Java. I already have a job.

Head First Java could be a commic book for child but it's very good to learn and it's from also from kathy Sierra and Bertt Bates. the authors of SCJP...

Thanks for your answer...