Chapter 1
All about Java
IN THIS CHAPTER
What Java is
Where Java came from
Why Java is so cool
How to orient yourself to object-oriented programming
Say what you want about computers. As far as I’m concerned, computers are good for just two simple reasons:
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When computers do work, they feel no resistance, no stress, no boredom, and no fatigue. Computers are our electronic slaves. I have my computer working 24/7 doing calculations for
Cosmology@Home— a distributed computing project to investigate models describing the universe. Do I feel sorry for my computer because it’s working so hard? Does the computer complain? Will the computer report me to the National Labor Relations Board? No.I can make demands, give the computer its orders, and crack the whip. Do I (or should I) feel the least bit guilty? Not at all.
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Computers move ideas, not paper. Not long ago, when you wanted to send a message to someone, you hired a messenger. The messenger got on his or her horse and delivered your message personally. The message was on paper, parchment, a clay tablet, or whatever physical medium ...
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