Top Books on Java Every Software Developer Should Read

Why choose Java?

First and foremost, its comprehensive utilization in every industry today. Many large organizations use Java, so learning Java can be the first step in the job market.

Again, Java will give you a better understanding of how to write programs in general. It’s one of the most demanded skills since the inception of the programming job market.

Java is free and open-source, so you can use it for any project without paying licensing fees and create your platform for solving unresolved problems in tech. It has provided many founders a platform to generate tech giants and even change the world.

How to choose the best Java books?

If you are confused about choosing the best programming book and are worried that you might simply end up wasting time on a generic Java coding book, then here are a few general tips that can be followed to select the best Java book for yourself:

• Firstly, it is important to identify the level of expertise in Java. Based on that, books can be chosen.
• Secondly, if someone is just beginning to learn Java, it is recommended that they start with a book that covers the basics of the language. A book that covers more advanced topics would be more appropriate for someone already familiar with Java.
• Thirdly, when looking for a Java coding book, it is a good idea to read reviews from multiple sources. This will give you a better idea of the book's content and quality and will help you make a better decision.
• Fourthly, a good Java book should also offer plenty of code examples that you can use to practice what you have learned.
• Finally, it is vital to choose a book that is updated with the latest version of Java. This is because the Java language keeps evolving and newer versions are released frequently.

But some senior developers recommend older versions as the content is very effective, regardless of the latest version of the language. However, at this time, the latest Java version is Java 18 in 2022.

So, let’s dig deep into this and find which Java book will be best for you!

Best books on Java

The best way to learn to program is to get started!

You can experiment with different books to learn the same concept; while the concept remains the same, you'll be amazed by the variance of how the other books have portrayed a particular idea.

This will help you can choose the book which suits your learning style.

This will help you can choose the book which suits your learning style.

Beginning programming with Java for Dummies by Barry Burd

As the name suggests, the book covers all the essential topics to develop your understanding of the Java language and its programming concepts. This Java book comes with plenty of Java coding examples that can be followed easily.

If you're not familiar with Java at all, this book can help you get started. The book is divided into various sections, each section describing multiple elements of the Java language.

The first section provides an overview of Java and why you should learn it. The second section introduces you to the system required to learn Java programming. This book will introduce you to the fundamental aspects of programming in Java.

With further sections, you’ll learn how to use the Java programming language to write programs that can be used to create databases, graphical user interfaces, web applications, desktop applications, mobile applications, and web services.

Availability – Paperback and eBook.

Head First Java: A Brain-Friendly Guide by Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates

This book is designed for beginners and senior Java developers who want to revisit the fundamentals and polish their Java skills.

It starts with the Java programming basics, covering all the essential concepts. It adopts a unique approach to teach programming with different illustrations and diagrams. The book is very well-written and easy to understand.

This Java book also caters to many code examples with exercises and quizzes. The book has received reviews from both beginners and experienced programmers.

Availability: Paperback and eBook

Core Java Volume – Fundamentals (Author: Horstmann)

Core Java Volume I is an excellent book to learn the fundamentals of Java. The book covers all the critical topics, including object-oriented programming, exception handling, and concurrency. The editions of this book keep getting updated with new chapters to cover the latest Java SE versions.

The book includes extensive code examples that illustrate each concept and are easy to follow, making it an ideal resource for new Java developers. The book also includes sections on advanced topics, such as JVM internals and native methods.

This Java book is a valuable resource for experienced Java developers who want to brush up on the fundamentals.

As per some senior developers: Core Java Volume I is an essential book for anyone wanting to learn Java programming.

Availability: eBook and paperback

Effective Java (Java Series) by Joshua Bloch

Effective Java is a gem of a read for intermediate developers or beginners looking to experiment side by side.

All the topics in this Java book are well explained and supported with coding examples. The book is divided into sections, covering the vast majority of important topics in Java development.

From basic to advanced levels, this book is packed with helpful information and tips to make your code better. The book is an excellent resource to learn Java development and improve your Java development skills.

The author of this book is the creator of many APIs and classes in Java, which makes this book more of a guide that help developers learn and use the Java attributes with real-life examples.

Availability: Paperback and eBook

Thinking in Java

Thinking in Java is one of the most popular Java books consisting of the protocol principles of Java programming. The book covers all the significant topics in Java, including object-oriented programming, Swing, and JDBC.

This Java book included material on functional programming, Lambdas, and Streams to strengthen your grip on development concepts. It's an easy read that offers clear explanations and code examples. The author of this book is a well-known figure in the Java community.

The book has been translated into several languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish and is often used as a textbook in university-level

Availability: Paperback and eBook

Java Concurrency in Practice

As you know, Turing's intelligent cloud provides the top 1% of software developers globally; similarly, Java Concurrency in practice provides the best concepts for Java developers.

The book is divided into four sections: Basic Java Concurrency, Thread Pools and Executors, Synchronizers, and Advanced Topics.

• Basic Java Concurrency covers topics such as the Java Memory Model, volatile, and atomic variables.
• Thread Pools and Executors help learn how to create and use Thread Pools and Executors.
• Synchronizers cover the use of locks, semaphores, and barriers.
• Advanced Topics have concepts such as the fork/join framework, parallel streams, and the reactive streams API.

Availability: Paperback and eBook

Wrap-up

Overall, learning Java from Java books is a positive experience. The books provide clear and concise explanations of key concepts, and the examples help us understand how those concepts can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Additionally, the books offer a variety of exercises to practice what you've learned, which is essential for mastery of the material.

Suppose you want to learn more about programming concepts in Java or any other language. In that case, Turing’s knowledge hub has plenty of learning material to assist you in understanding the vast majority of development concepts.