Murach’s Java Programming and Android/web

[Pete Letkeman]

Book web site
If you want to go into mobile or web development…
This book is a favorite among developers who are moving into programming Android apps or Java web applications. Chapters 1-16 deliver the core Java skills that you need, whether you’re looking for a first course in Java or a refresher.

With 24 chapters in total, you are stating that about two thirds can be applied to Android and/or Java web. Yet moments later on the same web site you stated that you cover Java 9 (Java 9 version released Jan 2017 from other post). I'm aware that not everything in Java 8 is directly supported in Android and some of the Java 8 supported APIs require minimum level Android SDKs and I suspect that Android will not incorporate Java 9 for some time.
While this is not an Android book (clearly states Java as the main topic), are there any notes/study tips/side margin markers, which help explain how/why/where topic X is used with regards to Android or Java web applications?

Why do you suspect that this book and/or previous editions are held in high regard for those who do Android and/or Java web application programming?

By the way, I did find the Murach Android book, located here https://www.murach.com/shop/murach-s-android-programming-2nd-edition-detail.

[Joel Murach]

Hi Pete,

I suspect that our marketing department is trying to put the best possible spin on this book by saying that it's a "favorite" among developers who are moving into Android apps or Java web applications. I don't think we have much data to back up that claim, except for some anecdotal evidence from a handful of satisfied customers. However, I stand by the statement that after completing chapters 1-16, you have the Java skills you need to move on to developing web applications or Android apps. I might also recommend reading some of the later chapters to get a solid foundation for working with databases, JDBC, and threads. But we review those skills in our servlet/JSP book as well as our Android book and show how they apply within the context of those platforms.

As far as I know, the Java skills presented in chapters 1-16 are all supported in Android development, with the exception of modules, which are clearly marked as only being available from Java 9 (which means you can't yet use them in Android development). We try not to clutter our books with notes/study tips/side margin markers, so you won't find any of those, though we clearly identify the Java skills that were introduced in recent versions of Java in both the text and code examples of the book. So, as long as you know that Android does not support some Java 8 features and doesn't support any Java 9 features, I think our book works really well for preparing you for Android development.

Thanks!

[Pete Letkeman]

Thank you very much for your reply Joel, I found it helpful.

[Joel Murach]

You're welcome! Thanks for the excellent questions.