Cay Horstmanns fifth edition of Big Java provides a comprehensive and approachable introduction to fundamental programming techniques and design skills, helping students master basic concepts. The inclusion of advanced chapters makes the text suitable for a 2-semester course sequence, or as a comprehensive reference to programming in Java. Combining an updated and more visual design, with major rewrites to make the content easier to read, provides students with an extremely approachable text.  Filled with realistic programming examples, a great quantity and variety of homework assignments, and lab exercises that build student problem-solving abilities, it is no wonder Big Java is the number one text for early objects in the Java market.