When comparing Effective Java by Joshua Bloch vs Head First Java, the Slant community recommends Effective Java by Joshua Bloch for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn Java?” Effective Java by Joshua Bloch is ranked 2nd while Head First Java is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose Effective Java by Joshua Bloch is:
The author uses simple and concise language. Even complex subjects are explained in a way that is easy to understand for beginners.
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Pros
Pro Clear language
The author uses simple and concise language. Even complex subjects are explained in a way that is easy to understand for beginners.
Pro Covers best practices in great detail
Anyone can learn the syntax and knock up some code, but Effective Java is a series of lessons about best practices. The book teaches how to write good, secure, maintainable code.
Pro Includes good examples
Pro It has version-wise every concepts covered with examples
Pro Beginner-friendly
The explanations are done in a very non-technical and humorous way. This makes the book interesting to read unlike the hard core dry technical books.
Cons
Con Not for complete beginners
Effective Java by Josh Bloch is not for the beginner programmer, but more for someone who's migrating to Java or who wants to polish their Java.
Con Out of date with the language
The 2nd (and most recent) edition only covers Java up to version 5. A lot has changed in the intervening years.