Java : The Complete Reference 7th Edition

This is an exceptional book for beginners into programming. Its the best book for people who with to know everything about Core Java.

However, I rated it 3 Stars because it does a very poor job when it comes to Swings, There is no JDBC, there is nothing about security.It has over emphasized on Applets, which became extinct last decade.

PROS: Great to begin learning Java.
CONS: Horrible for Advanced Java learners.

Pros:
Short and simple examples
Extensive coverage of all topics including JDK7
Easy to understand language

Cons:
Too much coverage of AWT and less of Swing
Great for a beginners book, but for professional understanding, need something like Horstmann's Core Java. Although a beginner cannot directly understand Horstmann's Core Java

In Java: The Complete Reference, Eighth Edition, bestselling programming author Herb Schildt shows you everything you need to develop, compile, debug, and run Java programs. Updated for Java Platform, Standard Edition 7 (Java SE 7), this comprehensive volume covers the entire Java language, including its syntax, keywords, and fundamental programming principles. You’ll also find information on key elements of the Java API library. JavaBeans, servlets, applets, and Swing are examined and real-world examples demonstrate Java in action. In addition, new Java SE 7 features such as try-with-resources, strings in switch, type inference with the diamond operator, NIO.2, and the Fork/Join Framework are discussed in detail.

Coverage includes:

Data types and operators
Control statements
Classes and objects
Constructors and methods
Method overloading and overriding
Interfaces and packages
Inheritance
Exception handling
Generics
Much, much more

The book was purchased based on the quality of instruction in some his other books like C: The Complete Reference, for instance. The author has a very sound pedagogical and practical approach to the teaching of programming. The attraction of the present book is that he excels himself in presenting the power of this versatile language to a developer. Though the present book is aimed at the beginning and the Intermediate programmer, it is certain that one could develop the necessary expertise to graduate into a fine one if the learning is done through this. Before purchsing this book I had read the earlier reviews, which bring out shortage of emphasis on Swing, But I am sure that could be managed.

This book is perhaps the best read for beginners, given its crisp and detailed explanations of basic JAVA concepts.

The book will help you a lot in diving the vast ocean of JAVA and will give a strong base over the language to help you in learning further. It is also the best textbook you can refer to, if you are having JAVA as a subject in your undergrad.

But it has a limitation. This book is not at all good for learning advanced JAVA concepts, so don't expect that you can fight SCJP or something like that armed with this book. Go for some other and better books like Horstmann's Core JAVA or Head First Java, if that is your aim.