Should Intermediate Java Programmer Read Fundemantals Part Of Java Books?

Question

I love reading programming books.But every Java book has first intro part to the language which has chapters about language fundemantals like variables,loops,decision making, etc.I am wondering if you reading these parts of the books or skipping to the parts that intrest you?

Answer 1

If you're confident, I think it's reasonable to skip those bits.

I would usually read a genuinely introductory chapter if it's setting up the rest of the book - it may explain things like the overall themes, or the author's styles etc... but the "this is what a variable looks like" isn't going to help you much.

Heck, you can always go back later on if you find the author is referring to something you don't understand, or using terminology you're not familiar with.

Answer 2

Yes it's a chore to read these parts when you're already on a "more advanced" level.

But for me, though, those parts always give some new insight on how to teach, explain stuff to other (more newbie) people. So, If you are in a position when you need to train or teach people, read em.

Answer 3

If you're already comfortable and experienced with the fundamentals you should be doing one of three things:

1. Skipping those parts of the books;
2. Skimming those same parts. I prefer to do this because occasionally you'll stumble across something interesting or something you don't know and it doesn't take a lot of time; or
3. Read a different book. If you're a somewhat experience/advanced programmer and you're reading books that include language fundamentals, you're probably not the target audience for that book. Read something that is.

Answer 4

I believe it is valuable to read about topics you think you're already an expert at. Invariably you will come across something new that you hadn't realized. Most of my strongest skills have come from reviewing concepts I thot I understood well more than once...

Answer 5

Programming books are not fiction books - go straight to the stuff you are interested in. If you like what you read then you may read more of the book, of course.