The Object of Java

The Object of Java takes an "objects-centric" approach to introductory programming. Objects are introduced in the first chapter, and they are continually used throughout the book. Readers begin with four complete chapters focusing on objects, classes, and methods. The presentation of primitive data occurs in Chapter 5, ensuring prior exposure to object declaration, object instantiation, assignment, method calling, parameter passage, class diagrams and object diagrams. The topics of aggregation and inheritance occur earlier than in many other CS1 books. In order to accommodate this placement of topics, control structures are covered later than in other books.

Many semesters of class-testing this objects-centric approach have shown that students develop a high degree of competence with both object-oriented features and the "classic" language features such as numeric expressions and control structures.

Riley is able to make the "objects-centric" approach work through the use of aLibray, a Java class library designed specifically as a pedagogical tool for CS1 instruction.

Here's what's so great about aLibary...

The bulk of aLibrary is devoted to graphical user interface classes. Students will want to learn because they will be using graphics!
The swing library was not designed to be a teaching tool, and it contains numerous distractions for the novice programmer. The aLibrary, based heavily on awt and swing, serves as a pedagogical extension of swing and awt that will allow the novice to easily grasp programming concepts. The book does include an appendix to help students with the transition from aLibrary to awt and swing.
Students need to know how to teach themselves new libraries, and with the use of aLibary, they will learn how to do just that.
Simply put, aLibrary offers you graphics made easy --graphics that will aid and enhance the learning experience of how to develop software.

To learn more about the objects-centric approach and how it works, go to "The Revolution."

To learn more about aLibrary, download David Riley's paper The Object of aLibary*.

*This is a PDF file. You need Acrobat Reader to view the file.