Michael Farinha

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since Jun 16, 2006
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Recent posts by Michael Farinha

it's great to see an organization make a decision to favor quality over revenue.



I concur, this is one of the main reasons I love the Head First series!

Please take your time
16 years ago
Hey Bert,

Thanks for the update!

So the HF SQL book isn't going to be implementation specific (eg MySQL, MS SQL, or Oracle)?

Also (I know I'm going to be bound, gagged, and beaten for asking this... or at least get some dirty looks! ) are you able to mention if there are any .NET books in the works?

*Ducks and runs for the hills*
[ April 30, 2007: Message edited by: Michael Farinha ]
16 years ago
Hey Joseph,
This quote of yours, "It's not such a big deal to write a text, that someone will understand if he ALREADY KNOWS the subject." brings to mind the marketing blurb from Head First books:

Tired of reading Object Oriented Analysis and Design books that only makes sense after you're an expert?



The best part about that blurb is that it is so true! (Or maybe thats the worst part about it?)
[ April 24, 2007: Message edited by: Michael Farinha ]
16 years ago
Hey Dan,

I had a quick question. How much code will be in this book? Also will it be like HFOOAD and HFDP will all code samples in Java?

Just curious.

Thanks!
16 years ago
Just to comment from another perspective. I am very much interested in this book (and every other HF book!) however the development I do is in .NET. I can read Java just fine and translate it to suit my needs. Having a book titled "Head First Software Development" I would expect a well rounded book that I can read and use regardless if I am designing an enterprise application or a simple Intranet web application. Also I would expect the book to be equally useful whether I am using .NET or Java.

If the book doesn't mention J2EE anywhere on the front cover I'd be disappointed if I purchased it and then later found out that I couldn't apply the concepts in the book.

The great thing I like about the Head First series is that the topics cover foundational concepts. Once you learn these foundational concepts you are better prepared to move on to specifics in your particular area of study/practice.

Darya, I think the book you are waiting for is "Head First J2EE Design Patterns"
[ March 27, 2007: Message edited by: Michael Farinha ]
16 years ago
Hey Jessica,

You should head on over to www.headfirstlabs.com. They have a discussion board for Head First HTML.
17 years ago
Then thats perfect for me Bert! I have about 5 chapters left of HF Java, HF OOAD is on its way!

We believe that if a person is learning something complicated, they should start by getting really, really solid on the fundamentals of that topic. We take that philosophy to the books we work on.



This is the main reason I'm a self-proclaimed Head First Evangelist!
I've read too many books and taken too many classes that simply teach you how to do something with a minimal foundation of the main concepts. HF Java has really taught me a lot, right from the beginning. None of my programming classes have mentioned anything about the differences between primitive and reference variables, what an important, yet basic concept for OOP!

While I'm at it I'd like to recommend one thing that should be added to HF Java in a future edition. A mention that a "String" is a reference variable/object and not a primitive. Because from the beginning of the book we are using String variables but declaring them like primitives. I was able to postulate that Strings were actually objects but couldn't figure out why they could be instantiated without calling the constructor. It wasn't until I came to javaranch and started asking questions that I found out it was simply a compiler trick.

This obviously doesn't need to be a major topic, perhaps just a sharpen your pencil question at the end of chapter 3 eg:
"So is a String a primitive or a reference variable?" or
"String is a reference variable, so why can it be instantiated like a primitive?"

Just one readers suggestion.

Thanks for a great series Bert!
17 years ago
This is fantastic news!

I hope everyone involved is relaxing on a beach somewhere with a nice margarita close-by!
17 years ago
Everyones work is much appreciated!

I'm anxiously awaiting the release!
17 years ago
Since all software development is inherently a project I was wondering if the book touches on any topics regarding project management from the PMI perspective? Such as Work Breakdown Structure, Risk Management, Time/Scope/Cost = Quality, etc...
Going through some of the code in Head First Java there is a command line Midi player that I created, copied from the book. However whenever I run it, it makes a sound but doesn't end the program, I have to hit [ctrl] + c to end it.
What is it that I'm missing to end the application after the sound plays?
Here is the whole code:

[ September 24, 2006: Message edited by: Michael Farinha ]
17 years ago
Hey Stan,

Since I'm still new to this, is my explination about the string pool fairly accurate?
I just want to make sure I understand this concept.

Thanks!
17 years ago
Although I haven't read any book regarding Java web development I am a devoted Head First fan. Books in the Head First series have a knack for explaining the very complex in an easy and entertaining way.
Having said that I'd suggest Head First Servlets and JSP.

[ September 21, 2006: Message edited by: Michael Farinha ]
17 years ago
Ok, I think I understand.
Strings are basically a special case, nothing really to understand with how java implements it other than "its the way it is."

Also, I have a basic understanding of the string pool so I think your example makes more sense to me than if I didn't know about the string pool.

I just have a hard time dealing with 'special cases.' I like to know why its a special case and how the special case was implemented.

But I think I grasp whats going on.

Thanks!
17 years ago