Books for Beginner Programmers: Part 2

Regina Muradova

In the previous post, we explored some must-read books for anyone starting their programming journey. This time, we’re focusing on books for specific programming languages, helping you get comfortable with your chosen tech stack. Whether you’re learning Python, Java, Kotlin, or C, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s turn the page and get started!📚

Python

Head First Python: A Learner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Python Programming (Third Edition), Paul Barry

A visually engaging guide to Python basics, packed with exercises and real-world examples. Ideal for hands-on learners who enjoy an interactive approach.

Python Tricks: A Buffet of Awesome Python Features, Dan Bader

For those ready to up their skills, this book offers advanced techniques like unpacking, decorators, and list comprehensions to write cleaner, more Pythonic code.

Learn Python the Hard Way, Zed Shaw

Master Python through 60 hands-on exercises, building essential skills by typing, debugging, and testing code. A great pick for learners who enjoy a challenge and want to dive deep.

Java

Head First Java, Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

This book uses a visually engaging format to make learning Java fun and memorable. With interactive puzzles, interviews, and hands-on exercises, it turns complex concepts into an enjoyable learning experience. You’ll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI.

Kotlin

Kotlin in Action (Second Edition), Dmitry Jemerov, Svetlana Isakova, Sebastian Aigner, and Roman Elizarov

The book is a complete guide to the Kotlin language, written for readers familiar with Java or another OOP language. Its authors, all core Kotlin language developers and Kotlin team members, share their unique insights, practical techniques, and hands-on examples. This new second edition is fully updated to include the latest innovations, and it adds new chapters dedicated to coroutines, flows, and concurrency.

✅ For those just starting, we also have a Kotlin learning guide to help you take your first steps with this versatile language. Using this guide, you can browse our extensive Kotlin courses and find the best choice for you based on your goals. 

C

C Programming Language, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie

Written by the creators of C, this classic is the definitive guide to the language. It covers everything from the fundamentals to advanced programming concepts with clarity and precision. 

Rust 

The Rust Programming Language, Steve Klabnik and Carol Nichols

Known as The Book in the Rust community, this official guide covers everything from ownership to concurrency with clear examples.

✅ For an even deeper dive, don’t miss A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Rust Programming by Vitaly Bragilevsky. It’s packed with insights and practical tips to help you truly understand the language!

JavaScript 

Head First JavaScript Programming, Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson

A beginner-friendly guide that breaks down JavaScript concepts like loops and functions into digestible, easy-to-understand exercises.

You Don’t Know JS Yet (Series), Kyle Simpson

Dive deep into advanced JavaScript topics like closures, prototypes, and async programming with this series that simplifies even the trickiest concepts. You can find a free version of the book in Kyle’s GitHub repository.

JavaScript for Kids, Nick Morgan

A straightforward introduction to JavaScript with plain-English explanations and fun examples, making it perfect for learners of all ages.

✅ If you’re looking for a little extra guidance, why not check out this JavaScript learning guide from our friends over at the WebStorm team? They’ve put together an awesome resource for getting comfortable with JavaScript. We’re pretty sure you’ll love it. ❤️

So, there you have it – some great books to help you level up your coding skills. Remember, learning to code isn’t a sprint, it’s a lifelong journey. Take it one chapter, one project, and one challenge at a time. Every step you take builds on the last, so stay curious, keep exploring, and enjoy the journey. You’ve got this – happy coding!

The JetBrains Academy team

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