If you are curious about the development in Java programming language, the right resources can significantly impact your learning journey. Whether you’re a beginner seeking a solid introduction or an advanced developer aiming to refine your skills, the best Java books can serve as indispensable companions. In this curated guide, we explore the best Java books tailored to both groups. Java still remains a strong foothold in enterprise-level applications and companies constantly rely on Java developers to build and maintain robust, secure, and high-performance systems. Based on this, we can say that learning Java is still a wise move in 2024.
Best Java Books in 2024
In the list below you will find the 11 best books for Java programming language for 2024. In the first section, we cover the books mainly for beginners. On the other hand, second half contains best Java books for already advanced developers. Some discounts can be found here.
Head First Java
Authors: Kathy Sierra (Author), Bert Bates (Author), Trisha Gee (Author)
For those taking their initial steps into Java, “Head First Java” is an engaging and accessible choice. The book combines visual formatting with hands-on exercises, making complex programming concepts more digestible for beginners. With a focus on interactive learning and analogies from real life, it sets a strong foundation for understanding Java fundamentals. The new third edition brings the book up-to-date for Java 8–17 with all major updates, so you won’t miss any important language features.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | 688 | 2022 | 3rd |
Java: A Beginner’s Guide
Authors: Herbert Schildt (Author)
“Java: A Beginner’s Guide” by Herbert Schildt is an exceptional entry point into the world of Java programming for those with little to no prior experience. The author is known for his ability to distill complex concepts into easily digestible information applied to all the fundamentals of the Java programming language. This book provides clear explanations, practical examples, and hands-on exercises. Beginners appreciate step-by-step progress, starting with basic syntax and sequentially moving toward more advanced topics.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 752 | 2022 | 9th |
Java for Dummies
Author: Barry Burd (Author)
“Java For Dummies” serves as an accessible and user-friendly entry point into the Java programming language, targeting mainly readers who are new to coding or seeking a refresher on Java essentials. Authored by Barry Burd, a seasoned educator, the book adopts a hands-on and practical approach to teaching Java concepts. It breaks down complex principles of programming into easy-to-understand language, offering a gentle learning curve for beginners. With a ton of examples, exercises, and practical applications, “Java For Dummies” guides readers through the fundamentals of Java, from basic syntax to more advanced topics including also code execution on the CPU.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | 434 | 2015 | 6th |
Java: The Complete Reference
Authors: Herbert Schildt (Author)
A comprehensive guide that is suitable for both beginners and advanced developers, Herbert Schildt’s “Java: The Complete Reference”. The book belongs to the best Java books of all time and covers the language from its basics to more advanced topics. With clear explanations and numerous examples, it serves as an excellent reference for those looking to deepen their understanding of Java features and concepts.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 | 1248 | 2019 | 11th |
Best Java Books for Advanced Developers
Do you already have experience in Java programming and don’t want to waste time with beginner’s books? Check out the books that will improve the knowledge of each skilled Java programmer.
Effective Java
Author: Joshua Bloch (Author)
Joshua Bloch’s “Effective Java” has become a classic for developers seeking to boost their Java skills. Targeted at advanced programmers, this book dives into best practices, design patterns, and advanced techniques. Insights from the author, drawn from his experience at Google and as a key Java architect at Sun Microsystems, offer invaluable guidance for writing efficient and robust Java code. Best practices are divided into distinct sections, such as Concurrency, Exceptions, Generics and so on, so anyone can directly target the required area.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | 412 | 2017 | 3rd |
Java Concurrency in Practice
Author: Brian Goetz (Author)
Concurrency is a critical aspect of Java development, and “Java Concurrency in Practice” by Brian Goetz is the definitive guide to this feature. Aimed at advanced developers, this book provides in-depth insights into concurrent programming in Java, offering practical tips and examples from the real world to write concurrent and scalable Java applications. Multithreading and concurrency are harder topics, so the book might be challenging at first. Be prepared. The drawback of the book is its age, but it should be noted that the concepts are still relevant.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 | 424 | 2006 | 1st |
Java Performance: The Definitive Guide
Author: Scott Oaks (Author)
Java Performance: The Definitive Guide” by Scott Oaks is a key resource for experienced Java developers seeking to optimize the performance of their applications. The author provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of performance tuning and optimization techniques specific to Java language. Various aspects of performance are included, such as profiling, garbage collection, or efficient use of memory. With a focus on real-world scenarios, the book addresses common performance challenges and provides address solutions. It will guide the readers through the problems of Java threading, database application performance, synchronization, and much more.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 | 450 | 2020 | 2nd |
Core Java: Fundamentals
Author: Cay Horstmann (Author)
“Core Java: Fundamentals” is a book offering an in-depth exploration of fundamental concepts in Java programming. Don’t be fooled by its name, it is tailored for both novice and experienced developers. The author, a renowned expert in the field, covers a wide range of topics, including Java syntax, object-oriented programming, exception handling, graphical user interface (GUI) development, and much more. All you need to get into the fundamentals of Java is packed into this comprehensive guide becoming one of the best Java books. “Core Java: Fundamentals” is popular for its clarity, depth of coverage, and the authors’ ability to distill complex concepts into digestible information.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 928 | 2020 | 11th |
Test Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers
Author: Lasse Koskela (Author)
In test-driven development, the first step is to prepare an executable test of what the application must do. The book by Lasse Koskela is a definitive guide that demystifies the world of Test-Driven Development (TDD). These techniques are distilled from years of community experience. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of the methodologies, tools, and best practices associated with TDD. It covers not only theoretical aspects of TDD but also offers practical examples and case studies, allowing developers to apply learned methodologies in real-world scenarios. The book is targeted mainly at advanced users, but it can also provide valuable lessons for beginners.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 | 470 | 2007 | 1st |
Spring in Action
Author: Craig Walls (Author)
“Spring in Action” by Craig Walls stands as a definitive guide to mastering the Spring Framework, offering an approach to understanding its nuances. The book covers the full spectrum of Spring features, from core concepts like dependency injection to advanced topics such as Spring Boot and Spring Security. Readers will also learn about topics such as reactive programming, Spring MVC for the web, RESTful APIs, or best practices from the world of Spring. “Spring in Action” is a go-to resource for developers aiming to build robust, scalable, and maintainable Java applications using the Spring Framework. The targeted audience covers both novices looking to delve into Spring and experienced developers seeking deeper insights.
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 520 | 2018 | 5th |
Bonus: Clean Code
Author: Robert C. Martin (Author)
Clean Code is a classic for each Java programmer. Everyone can learn how to code, but it takes time and a lot of practice to write clean code. Martin uses his extensive industry experience and wisdom to guide developers in writing code that is not only functional but also elegant, easy to maintain, and a joy to work with. The book delves into the principles of clean code, emphasizing readability, simplicity, and self-explanation.
Examples from the real world illustrate the impact of clean code on software quality and the development process. Whether you are a senior developer or a novice, “Clean Code” is worth reading to master the art of writing code that stands the test of time. Who doesn’t want to write code like that, right?
| Rating | Pages | Published | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | 464 | 2008 | 1st |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you learn Java from a book?
Yes, it is possible to learn Java from a book. However, this process will require also using other sources and your trying, so keep your expectations realistic.
Can Java be self-taught?
Sure, it is possible to teach yourself Java language. A lot of people already achieved this in the past years.
Can Java alone get me a job?
Yes, Java itself can be enough to get you an entry position job in the IT world.
Is Java a high-paying job?
Yes, Java still belongs among the highest-paying programming languages worldwide and also in Europe.
Is Java still a good career?
Definitely, learning Java is still worth it in 2024.
Wrapping Up
That’s it. This was the list of best Java books for beginners and advanced developers that you can read in 2024. If you are interested in the best books that every software developer should read, check out this separate article. Did you find your favorite book on the list? If not, please let us know in the comments section about your top pick!
