I borrowed the book "Java - How to Program, 3e, Deitel & Deitel"
from my local library. But it didn't come with a CD. This book
is a tutorial for Java 2, using Java 2 SDK v1.2.1 with either
NetBeans dev. x2 2.1 or JBuilder 3 University Ed.

I couldn't find that old IDE software so I installed JDK 1.5
with netbeans from the Sun site.

The problem is that the very first program example in the Deitel
book now fails on me.

    +    +    +    +    +    +    +
public class Welcome1
{
    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        System.out.println ("Welcome to java Mark");
    }
}
    +    +    +    +    +    +    +
The last line in the next section gives the error I got from the
command line:
    +    +    +    +    +    +    +
// Directory of D:\_java\Deitel
// Welcome.java    302 bytes
// D:\_java\Deitel>java Welcome1.java
// Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError:
Welcome1/java

    +    +    +    +    +    +    +

I've already programmed in other languages COBOL, Pascal, VB,
Java Script and have gone through C# without actually doing
anything in it.

Should I persevere with the Deitel book?

Is this initial problem I'm having with the java command line
not too important and should I just continue with the other
examples using the IDE?

The Deitel book looks a bit tedious. Can someone recommend a
book that covers all of java without spending too much time on
the simple features such as datatypes, operators and control
structures but nevertheless gives a comprehensive coverage of
advanced features; especially the cryptic object orientation.

Or, given that it's free, should I persevere with the Deitel
book?, if so - should I uninstall SDK 1.5 and install Java 2 SDK
1.2.2 (which I have)? If so - what IDE can I use for SDK 1.2.2?

Should I give up with java altogether and spend my time on C#
until I'm used to programming in the object oriented framework?
C# will surely be easier for me as the IDE, libraries, etc. are
all there.

PS: I wanted to learn java because (a) I'm told it's the
language used for Oracle forms (which is what I actually wanted
to use) and I thought it would be a bit daft trying to use
Oracle without first knowing java. (b) everyone expects me to be
able to use java anyway and it does look pretty useful.

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