Generally, I like to consume a book from front to back, but it obviously depends on the editing. It doesn't matter much with Effective Java, but with a book like Head First Design Patterns you'd certainly want to build up the basics before moving into more complex double-dispatch composite patterns (I.e. visitor). Luckily, most modern text books will include the authors reading style recommendations in the introductory chapter.
I highlight interesting passages with a color marker; pseudo bullet-points who either shake my existing understanding of something or "smells" of something being worth remembering (I.e. "Store only weak references" at the bottom of page 26, Effective Java SE). Sometimes, when introduced to a piece of code that elegantly solves a problem, I will put a check-mark next to it (I.e. "Enum type with constant-specific method impl" at the bottom of page 152, Effective Java SE). Occasionally, I will write a big question mark next to a passage, if I disagree or something warrants further study. In short, the book is *mine* and I won't hesitate to annotate/mutilate it in order to extract the most value out of it. :) The most important thing is to find a quiet time to read in when you are not too tired, nor too creative... this I am still struggling with when juggling work, house, family and hobbies. /Casper On Tuesday, June 12, 2012 7:31:09 PM UTC+2, Joe Attardi wrote: > > Hi all, > > What are some ways you effectively absorb knowledge from reading > programming books? For language or feature specific stuff, obviously > working on a project with it is the best way to learn. But what about more > general things - stuff like *Effective Java* or *Head First Design > Patterns*? > > Do you take notes while you read? Skim and reread for detail? Any good > tips to offer? > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Java Posse" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/javaposse/-/LVHf9Etgh4IJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
