Herb, the use of Scanner class

Herb,

Got a copy of Java A beginner guide:

Question on using Scanner class:

1. Why not mention it with using file and keyboard input? Most intro to java texts 1.5 use Scanner. You do mention in Complete Reference

You cover for/each and enum.

Same can be made for printf. Most new Java 1.5 intro textbooks use this. You only mention briefly here.

So if you have an intro to programming book- Your competion uses it -why don't you.

I teach programming at the college level- I find your books good. But this seems to me to be a glaring omission in teaching Java to beginners.

Your thoughts please.
[ April 23, 2005: Message edited by: James Chegwidden ]

James:

I do not extensively cover Scanner or printf in Java: A Beginner's Guide because of length concerns, and because both are a bit more advanced than I was comfortable putting in a "first book" on Java.

Of course, both Scanner and printf will seem easy to us more experienced programmers, but neither are intuitive for beginnners.

Also, for readers without a background in C/C++, printf is difficult to learn. Frankly, I view the addition of printf to Java mostly as a means of streamlining the conversion of C/C++ code to Java.

BTW: I cover both Scanner and printf(and much much more)in considerable detail in my book Java: The Complete Reference, J2SE 5 Edition