Java book recommendations (can't decide which I want)

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

Hello,

I have been looking around lately for a good programming book/textbook. I know how to do basic programs, like how to make a cannonball program that has the velocity and angle of the cannon as input and then prints the trajectory on a graph in JFrame. Or how to making an analog clock with Threads. However I am now wanting to make games in java. I was wondering if anyone knows any good books that they could recommend.

Thanks

#2

http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Android-Games-Mario-Zechner/dp/1430230428
Some Android stuff in there, but the stuff about building games is the same on the desktop.

#3

Hmmmm your programs sound suspiciously like my programming teacher’s assignments for programming class at my school… :point:

#4

They should because they are ;D

#5

O_____________O What a coincidence!! Say hi tomorrow :slight_smile:

This post should be a bit useful, it explains a basic recommended roadmap in your journey with Java.
Nate’s link is a good book but it’s basically for OpenGL and since you’re new to gaming, I suggest you stick with Java2D until you master game design.

Our resources page has TONS of links that will be very helpful to you :slight_smile:

Good luck!

EDIT: Also, drop by our IRC channel, most of us are there 24/7 :slight_smile:

#6

Check the “Java Gaming Resources” link just below the JGO logo!

Also, this thread has some good books listed:


Scroll down to the bottom of the first post.

I just sent off for a copy of the Brackeen book. The chapter on sound looks really good (my particular interest) despite being 8 years old. The sound coding libs have been relatively stable.

I don’t particularly recommend the Harbour book, though some folks do. I was able to get his “Asteroids” knockoff working OK, but felt rather mystified by many aspects of his programming, which seemed rather C++ influenced. But I was really a rookie when I read it, and maybe should reassess my opinion now that I know more.

I learned some good stuff from “Killer Game Programming” but that was after already learning how to do basic game loops.

You might just check some of the tutorials listed. Many are quite helpful.

#7

This must be the weirdest conclusion ever :slight_smile:

You are saying that you would give a book a better score now that you know everything the book didn’t tell you?

The book should have been able to make it clear to you in the first place!

#8

!!

I meant, if I went back to read the Harbour, I might be able to tell if the author was writing C++ code using Java vs creating well-formed Java code.

I guess I’ll just add that I think Java is complex enough that a Game Programming book can’t possibly cover everything, and one needs to also be committed to learning Java on a more general level as well.