J++ is Microsoft's interpretation of Java. In practice this means Java with some specific Windows extensions to enable programs to execute faster, but at the expense of portability.

The book starts with the usual introduction to the basics of the Java language before turning to J++ and specifically the Visual Studio environ-ment. Here the reader is assumed to be familiar with the rudiments of the Visual environment, with all of the examples geared accordingly.

Rather than including full source code, reference instead is intelligently made to the accompanying CD-ROM, but with a slight difference. To help the reader understand the concept being discussed, variations have to be made by the reader to the original code. This works well, as it does force you to read the supplied code and thus gain an understanding of how the mechanics work.

This hands-on approach is used through the whole of the book, with particular emphasis on the multimedia use of Java in web pages. ActiveX also gets a look in, with COM, DirectDraw and DirectSound being covered - not something found in many other books.

Although principally aimed at J++ users, this book is also of use to Java developers. More up-to-date examples can be obtained from other sources on the Internet, which does negate some of the book, which is based on J++ version 1.1. On this basis it cannot be strictly a 'true' bible, but still worth investigating.