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Welcome to Java Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design, Fourth Edition. Designed
for a first Computer Science (CS1) Java course, this text will provide a breath of fresh air to you
and your students. The CS1 course serves as the cornerstone of the Computer Science curricu-
lum. My primary goal is to motivate and excite all programming students, regardless of their level.
Motivation breeds excitement for learning. Motivation and excitement are critical factors that
lead to the success of the programming student. This text is the culmination and development of
my classroom notes throughout more than fifty semesters of teaching successful programming.
Warning: This text can be expected to create a serious reduction in the demand for program-
ming help during your office hours. Other side effects include significantly diminished student
dependency on others while learning to program.
The primary focus in writing this text is on student learning. Therefore, in addition to clear
explanations, we address the key issues that otherwise impede student learning. For example, a
common question that arises naturally during an early programming assignment is: ‘‘How
many variables and what kinds are needed in this program?’’ We illustrate this important and
crucial step by helping students learn why variables are needed and how data in a variable is
manipulated. Next students learn that the analysis of the problem will spill the number and
types of the variables. Once students grasp this key concept, control structures, (selection and
loops) become easier to learn. The second major impediment in learning programming is
parameter passing. We pay special attention to this topic. First students learn how to use
predefined methods and how actual and formal parameters relate. Next students learn about
user-defined methods. They see visual diagrams that help them learn how methods are called
and how formal parameters affect actual parameters. Once students have a clear understanding
of these two key concepts, they readily assimilate advanced topics.
The topics are introduced at a pace that is conducive to learning. The writing style is friendly,
engaging, and straightforward. It parallels the learning style of the contemporary CS1 student.
Before introducing a key concept, the student learns why the concept is needed, and then sees
examples illustrating the concept. Special attention is paid to topics that are essential in
mastering the Java programming language and in acquiring a foundation for further study
of computer science.
Other important topics include debugging techniques and techniques for avoiding program-
ming bugs. When a beginner compiles his/her first program and sees that the number of
errors exceeds the length of this first program, he/she becomes frustrated by the plethora of
errors, only some of which can be interpreted. To ease this frustration and help students learn
to produce correct programs, debugging and bug avoidance techniques are presented system-
atically throughout the text.
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION