Java: Some Core Java Books I Would Suggest....

Core Java although very easy to pickup, is quite a large beast in itself. Many rookie java programmers will roll out programs by knowing a few syntactical constructs but if you really
want to improve on using the full power of Java, you will have to spend quite some time training with it.

In my opinion, the real beauty of Java as a language is the simplicity it offers a newbie to dive into and a wide plethora of complex tools it offers to experts.

Remember, I am suggesting these books for Core Java only. Not for any particular Java framework.
In my experience, turning to these books for reference and implementing a pretty simple feature has helped me a lot, not only to improve design but to improve efficiency as well.

The ordering of books is increasing complexity. That is you are a beginner, you start with the first one.

So the list goes like this...

1. Beginner :

   Head First Java - Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra
   This book was released way past my B.E. graduation time.
   When I was doing my PostGrad, I asked one of my friends this book for a quick brush up and he suggested this one. 
   Although I had studied java during my BTech days by attending classes and learning from a book I don't remember anymore, I really really wished I had this book then. This book gives enough pictures for readers to quickly summarize the concepts at a glance.
   If you are a beginner or a novice, I would highly suggest you spend time with this book and do all the exercises diligently.
   

2. Intermediate:

   SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Exam 310-065 Guide
   - Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates
   I owe my SCJP certification to this book. I am not an ad-agent for Kathy or Bert. But these folks really know how to teach.
   But this book took me to an all new level in Core Java. You are assured to be in the top 40 percent of the java programming population once you are through this book.
   I highly recommend taking up the OCJP1.6 exam. This goal will drive you to finish this book and boost your confidence while answering any interview question related to Java.
   
   Thinking In Java - Bruce Eckel
   I haven't personally read this book although lying in my collection. But I spent my hard earned money on this book for one sole reason. Why?
   I had a guest java lecturer named Shakeel Ali who is one of the Top 5 trainers on java in whole of India! Every student who has ever attended his classes(C/C++/Java) will vouchsafe their knowledge to this expert. He strongly advised us to study this book!
   

3. Advanced:

   Effective Java  - Joshua Bloch
   The toughest book I have ever come across so far. This book was advised to me by my manager. Understanding some of the concepts of generics really pulls out your intestines! I am trudging half way through this book and exhausted. Hopefully will complete the book and understand it well by the end of this year.
   
   Java Concurrency In Practice - Brian Goetze
   This is a book I am yet to read. This was recommended by a Java trainer who visited our office for training on concurrency and boy , following his lecture left my brains fried!!
   

4. Bonus:

   Java Puzzlers- Joshua Bloch, Neal Gafter
   This book is on my "Must Read" list.
   Simply because I tried some  of the puzzles here and found them to be informative and entertaining.
   
   
   No doubt the saying is true - "As you increase your circle of knowledge, so does the circumference of ignorance around it!"-Einstein.

A letter to PETA and GreenPeace and similar...

Some where in last year I was called by a  girl from Greenpeace who was asking me to donate money. I asked her a question back,

Me: Do you eat meat?

GreenpeaceGal: Yes, I do.

Me: Then , you are adding to global warming by unnecessarily wasting energy on procuring meat. 

GreenpeaceGal: That's left to personal decisions. 

Then I preached her a little bit and the conversation ended with no donation from me.
Here is a sincere letter from a person who likes your(Greenpeace and PETA) intentions but requests some drastic changes to be made.

Dear Greenpeace(GP) / PETA,

This is not  a hate mail. I really want you guys and all the gals to succeed. You have sacrificed your comfort zones to work for a long term cause!! Whether its the Mahaan forests or the Angora rabbits,
here's a guy who seriously  prays for your success. :)
@Others: Links are meant to be clicked! So click the links above...

Although you are in business, your impact should be inside the homes of a middle class family which has a normal lifestyle and enjoys the little trifling joys of life.

By the way, I do look out for news where celebs who have gone bare for the cause. Yes, it makes an impact but doesn't make a long lasting impression which changes the way people live in their day to day activities...

So here are some tips from a small time entrepreneur/yet-to-be-successful business advisor/ yet-to-be-successful marketing strategist:

1. PUT up LINKS on your WEBSITE where we can buy NON-CRUELTY stuff !
   
   Today I was looking for a website that will tell me where I can buy non leather stuff (a belt to be specific..).
   The only useful link I found useful was this: http://vegan-india.blogspot.in/2011/08/who-pays-for-your-leather-shoes.html#sthash.dypxByBY.dpbs.
   Neither Greenpeace nor PETA had any link that will help a cute-guy like me to buy non-leather stuff in your locality. So all the volunteers of GP and PETA please do it!


2. Open"Local Shops" and an "ONLINE STORE" ! Not just have a "DONATE NOW" button !
   
   You can get celebrities to  strip for you or join for your protests that's cute and media will slobber all over you. But that won't help me directly.
   Apart from asking for us to donate for your causes, it is high time that you take money from the money rich celebrities and start a start a GP/PETA store in our localities and employ local people.
   This will not only help you make profit but helps people like me make buying decisions more easy.
   If any of your volunteers were near me now, I would be yelling at them, why haven't they done this YET!!!


3. Do Audits. Start Certifying businesses !
   
   The green square and the dot provided on the food packages helps common people like us
   a lot.
   How about you giving out certifications to businesses/companies.
   Just like all companies have financial audits done on a regular basis, the companies who are willing to be certified by you will come ahead to increase their brand  and marketing value.
   
   This will be a win-win-win situation for You - TheBusiness - TheConsumer.
   
   
   

Wishing you the very best,
Abhinandan