java GUI differences between v1.3 and 1.5

kpachopoulos · 03-09-2006, 08:56 AM

Hi,
are there major differences, what the GUI classes concern between jdk1.3 and 1.5? I have a good book, which unfortunately refers to jdk1.3.
Thanks

Mega Man X · 03-09-2006, 09:16 AM

A lot, since Java 1.3 is about 4 years old. Still, your book should work just fine. When compiling, you will get a bunch of deprecated warnings. The program should still run just fine. You could, however, use a good IDE as Eclipse. It will show you on the fly the deprecated methods and make your life easier in the case you want to use the new methods of a newer Java VM (which you should do).

vharishankar · 03-09-2006, 09:43 AM

Java 5 certainly has new features. Unfortunately, since I'm too deep into PHP, I've hardly looked at Java in a long time.

I back the Eclipse recommendation, but it will crawl even on a fairly new system since it runs on top of Java. It's code completion is a blessing, though. Without it, I don't know whether I'd actually bother programming in Java. Too many classes, too many things to remember. You find yourself referring to the manual more than actually coding.

Mega Man X · 03-09-2006, 09:57 AM

Yeah. I think Java has over 5.000 classes today. Still, a good programmer should be able to know the essential classes to save time

paulsm4 · 03-09-2006, 12:42 PM

There are far too many significant differences between 1.3 and Java 5 (aka "JDK 1.5) for you to even consider reading the obsolete book if you plan on using a current JDK. I hate to say it, but you really need a new book. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Just Java 2: J2SE 1.5 Edition, Peter van der Linden
http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0131482114

Head First Java, 2nd Edition, Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates
http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0596009208

Thinking in Java, 4th Edition, Bruce Eckel
http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0131872486

Core Java 2, Volume 1: Fundamentals, 7th Edition
http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0131482025

Bruce Eckel has earlier versions of all of his books on-line on his web site:
http://www.mindview.net/Books/TIJ/

Even though his 3rd Edition just covers up to JDK 1.4.x (and consequently *doesn't* cover generics, for example), it's definitely "good enough". A book covering 1.3, however, will
do you more harm than good if it's your primary (or only) reference.

IMHO .. PSM