Best-selling author, Walter Savitch, uses a conversational style to teach programmers problem solving and programming techniques with Java. Readers are introduced to object-oriented programming and important computer science concepts such as top-down design, debugging, style, and abstract data types. The Java coverage is a concise, accessible introduction that covers key language features. Thorough early coverage of objects is included, with an emphasis on applications over applets. Prof. Savitch includes a highly flexible format that allows instructors and readers to adapt coverage of topics to their order of preference. This text assumes no previous programming experience.