Java is based upon C++, and is very similar in its style and structures. It is a large and wordy language. Gaining full proficiency in it must take time - if only because of the amount to be learned. However, its structures do follow a clear pattern, so that once the essentials have been mastered, it is relatively easy to extend one's knowledge. This book is not intended for proficient C++ programmers who want to transfer to Java, but is aimed at those of you who have little or no prior experience of programming, and it starts from scratch. The Author has concentrated on the basic concepts and practical uses of the language, and has tried to avoid getting down in technicalities. Java Made Simple will take you through to the point where you can write small applets for your Web pages, and give you the foundations and the confidence to go further into the language, if you wish to develop larger applications. Each feature is demonstrated at work in an applet or a short program, as new concepts are best learnt through practical examples. You will find exercises at the end of each chapter and the text files for the larger programs can be found on the Made Simple WWW site...and remember that Java gets its name from the coffee that you stop for whenever your brain hurts!

' This book starts from scratch for those with little or no experience of programming. It concentrates on the basic concepts and practical uses of the language and takes the student through to the point where they can write small applets for their web pages, giving them confidence to go further.' BOOKSNEWS

Mac's first steps into computing came 19 years ago when he taught himself Basic on a ZX81. He started his first book shortly afterwards, when he realised that (a) programming was fun, and (b) no-one was writing simple books on it. Since then he has programmed in, taught and/or written about 9 varieties of Basic, 3 Pascals, 2 Cs, Assembler, Cobol and Java, 5 spreadsheets, 3 databases, 4 word-processors, and 6 operating systems. He is looking forward to the time when developers stop producing new software and books don't go out of date in a couple of years. Mac can usually be found either in the kitchen or running a taxi service for his family. He lives in Southampton with 4 children, 2 cats and 40 fishes. Web page: homepages.tcp.co.uk/~macbride Mac is the author of the following Made Simple books: The Internet for Windows 95 (Second Edition) The Internet for Windows 3.1 (First Edition) The Internet for Windows 95 (First Edition) The Internet for Windows 98 The Internet (Colour Edition) First Edition the Internet (Colour Edition) Second Edition Office 95 Office 97 Office 2000 Works for Windows 3.1 Works for Windows 95 Windows 3.1 Windows 95 Windows 98 Internet Resources Microsoft Networking Explorer 3.0 Explorer 4.0 Explorer 5.0 Netscape Navigator Searching the Internet Java JavaScript Pascal UNIX Outlook 2000 Sage Accounts HTML 4.0 Mac is also the series advisor/editor.