Programming and Problem Solving with Java

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Preface

Programming and Problem Solving with Java™represents a significant transition in the devel-
opment of the Dale series, with much that is new. Here we briefly summarize the features
of this new text.
The most obvious new feature is the beautiful full-color design, which allows us to use
colored code displays that follow conventions similar to the editors found in integrated de-
velopment environments. The code coloring conventions also make syntax stand out from
the text more effectively. For the first time, we are able to show realistic full-color screen im-
ages of program output. Color is used extensively to enhance the clarity and improve over-
all readability of illustrations, feature boxes, and other elements of the text. We’re very
excited to add this new dimension to our pedagogical toolkit.
This book has been developed from the ground up to be a Java text. It is not a “Java trans-
lation” of our previous texts. We have, however, retained our familiar easy-to-read style and
clear approach to introducing new topics. Each chapter has the same overall organization as
in our previous books, with a full problem-solving case study, testing and debugging hints,
summary, and five types of exercises. Also, some topics, such as problem solving, are inde-
pendent of the programming language and thus contain familiar discussions.
An exciting new feature in each chapter is the division of the learning goals into knowl-
edge goals and skill goals. Each chapter thus addresses specific concepts that students
should understand as distinct from skills that they should develop. For example, in the chap-
ter that covers inheritance, students are expected to understand the concept of a class hi-
erarchy, and to be able to implement a derived class.
In every regard, this new book is object-oriented in its presentation of the fundamental
concepts of computing. From the very first chapter we use object-oriented terminology to de-