Do-It-Yourself Java Games: An Introduction to Java Computer Programming

Do-It-Yourself Java Games: An Introduction to Java Computer Programming

UPDATED April 2023 with more details for how to install recent and future versions of Java. Do-It-Yourself Java Games uses a unique "discovery learning" approach to teach computer programming: learn Java programming techniques more by doing Java programming than by reading about them. Through extensive use of fill-in blanks, with easy one-click access to answers, you will be guided to write complete programs yourself, starting with the first lesson. With this first book of the series, you'll create puzzle and game programs like Choose An Adventure, Secret Code, Hangman, Crazy Eights, and many more, and discover how, when, and why Java programs are written the way they are. Each book of the Do-It-Yourself Java Games series builds on skills taught in the previous book, yet each book is completely independent. You may start anywhere in the series based on your Java programming experience and current needs. Do-It-Yourself Java Games: An Introduction to Java Computer Programming - learn the fundamentals of Java programming as you create fourteen different text-based games. No previous programming experience is required. - More Do-It-Yourself Java Games: An Introduction to Java Graphics and Event-Driven Programming - learn how to program windows, icons, and menus as you create ten more colorful, more interactive games. - Advanced Do-It-Yourself Java Games: An Introduction to Java Threads and Animated Video Games - learn to control multiple, simultaneous activities as you create eight more lively, audible games. - Do-It-Yourself Multiplayer Java Games: An Introduction to Java Sockets and Internet-Based Games - Learn to communicate across a network as you create seven games that you can play against friends on other computers. All books in the series employ the same "discovery learning" approach to teach computer programming. Writing your own computer games provides challenges, enjoyment, and satisfaction similar to playing computer games. Similar to playing games, programming teaches you to think logically and systematically. It teaches you planning skills and problem solving skills. Programming a computer gives you power and control: a program will do exactly what you program it to do. Programming also teaches you to be precise and clear in your instructions: a program will do exactly what you program it to do, whether that is what you intended or not. I enjoy programming and would like to encourage others to try it too.  I wrote this book for junior high to high school students as well as adults to explore an interest in computer programming. Some readers have asked me about the provided DIYWindow class that is used only in the first book of this series. I chose to use DIYWindow because I didn't think anyone wanted to write games that simply print to the console. Plus, programs that print to a window are much easier to export and share with friends. However, programming a window interface requires more advanced coding skills than I think beginners are ready to deal with. DIYWindow is a helper class that allows the reader to focus on learning Java programming fundamentals while easily creating programs with a window interface. Other than the code to print to and get input from that window, all the code in this book is standard Java. DIYWindow is only used in the first book of the series since the second book, More Do-It-Yourself Java Games, teaches the reader to create a wide variety of window interfaces himself. Do you like playing computer games? Do you enjoy solving puzzles? If so, you may enjoy computer programming. Are you a hands-on kind of person? Would you rather start on a project right away instead of first reading long chapters about how things work? Do you lose interest if too much technical information is presented at a time? If so, this may be the right book for you. In this book you'll learn Java programming fundamentals while creating a wide variety of puzzles and games. What is discovery learning? Learn using a hands-on, "try-it" approach. Do the steps shown and see what happens. - Start writing complete programs right away. - Learn Java programming techniques more by doing programming than by reading about them. - Fill in the blanks to write the programs yourself. The answers are at the back of the book. - Discover how, when, and why Java programs are written the way they are. What other people are saying: "What a breath of fresh eye and mind-opening air your books are! By reading and doing the projects in your books I finally am starting to feel like I understand how the code I'm reading and writing works. The "Discovery Learning" method you use to teach is really helping me understand and learn a subject I thought I was too old or maybe just too academically unprepared for." "First, the author is obviously a natural teacher and knows how to simply and clearly convey concepts that beginners and experienced programmers need to understand. But don't be fooled, this is not your typi