This class is HARD, but Prof. Bono was extremely responsive. Every time I emailed him, I got a response in a few minutes. He helped me to understand enough to get through the class, since I failed it the first time. I would definitely take another class with him.

grades harshly on programming assignments more enphasis on the pseudocode and desk checking than the program itself. midterm was a tough due to time limits. but final was easier

This class is hard there's no doubt about it. Bono is a GREAT teacher. For someone who has no programming experience he really helped break down tough concepts. TAKE HIM!! Programming assmts graded hard but midterm and final aren't too bad. You cannot miss a class if you want to pass.

Best teacher in the department! Shows a true interest in students if you put in the effort you'll pass. his humor is corny and don't fall asleep in class or he'll embarrass you.

Explains things way too fast.I understand that this is a hard class, and I am ok with that. There is just way too much emphasis on the final. Good luck if you're not the best test taker. Not a bad guy though.

I really didn't like his teaching style because he made the subject really intimidating and expected everything to be neat and perfect. Not everyone is great at Java from the get go. He did answer his emails on times but expected a lot from his students. Wouldn't recommend.

Really tough class. I don't know if this is his fault or not, but he has been really patient and explained the material over and over again until I got it when I visited him. Whoever said you can't miss a class if you want to pass was right. It's been my toughest IT class. Not looking forward to 206.

This course requires TIME and EFFORT to pass! Your reward will be an excellent understanding of the programing. Dr Bono responded quickly to all of my questions and even though he did not give me the answers he would always point me in the right direction. I found this was a much better way to learn then when a teacher just gives me the answer.

I really liked the class. He is certainly the most organized professor. Grading is rough, but worth it when you get to the exams which were not as hard as the homework

1st semester Nova transfer. Easily my favorite instructor. He made class bearable. I learned more from his class than at Nova. I spent a lot of time practicing the stuff he posted in class. Class eats up time you could be working on other classes. Exams are rough because the multiple choice are hard and you can't use jgrasp. Take him!!

If you don't have prior programming knowledge, this class is HARD! Though, I noticed Dr. Bono was answering questions at almost all hours of the day. The class is rough, especially online without real lectures to guide you through material, but Dr. Bono is always ready and waiting to answer questions! I'd recommend taking this in person,not online!

Prepare to work your butt off!! The professor doesn't hold your hand through it and it's insanely difficult, but it's a pretty awesome feeling when you get your programs to work. Dr. Bono provided fast responses to questions so it helped take the edge off. I would take him again for 206, but he said he does not teach it.

The class is very hard, but if you do what he says you should be fine. Really nice guy once you get to know him. He seems to care a lot.

He asked someone to post about him for IT 214 so here it goes. He is a very smart man and wants all of his students to understand the material, he is a tough grader but you gotta know your stuff. If you actually want to learn about the topics and remember them, take him and you will learn a lot.

If you want to learn something, then take class with him. He knows the material very well and his teaching is awesome. He is very patient and helpful. He is available by email almost any time you want. He answers the emails within 5 minutes after receiving them. Best professor!!!

Highly recommend this teacher. Just finished his summer class online. Very nice, approachable and knowledgeable guy with quick responses, but he is tough. Strict rules, but worth it from what I learned out of the class. Take him!

Class material is boring, but I communicated with him alot in email and he answered all of my questions very quickly. He has alot of patience. Very nice guy and great course. I would definitely take him for another class.

Excellent instructor! He was always available to answer questions almost all hours of the day. Not an easy subject so don't expect an A, but if you have to take this course, take it with him.

Took 106 twice with him, I didn't try nearly hard enough the first time. Second time I asked for help on almost a daily basis, he always responded but instead of just giving answers he would direct me to the answer so I would actually come out of it with a better understanding. If you try this class is manageable. If you blow it off, you'll fail.

If you want an easy A, with little to no effort, do not take him. If you actually want to learn something for what you're paying for this class, then take him. I can guarantee that you will know databases pretty well, if you take it with Bono. He is strict with grading, and turning things in late is a big NO. But he is very clear & to the point.

Just finished and glad I took it with him. I feel good going to 206. It's one of the few IT classes I've had where the teacher didn't have an accent. He makes you work for every single point, but helps if you show you're trying. Agree with the others. don't blow it off or he'll fail you without thinking twice.

Easily one of the best IT profs, my friend had taken Dill but looking back now admits he should have taken Bono. Dr. Bono is accessible by email at all hours of the night and replies almost instantly so if you're every up and stuck on something, rest assured you can reach him and get a response within minutes. Take him

Mr. Bono is SUPER helpful and really makes sure everything is clear. This class is very short and requires your part in doing all of the assignments in order to prepare yourself for the test. Its passfail so study hard and make sure you understand the material. Read the lecture notes and textbook(s).

This class isn't that hard. I did take a java class prior but I thought he taught very thoroughly. Honestly the class teaches programming and problem solving, and if you're in the IT program it'll be beneficial in the long run that Bono taught it right. He writes the tests and is very clear with his explanations. Just ask questions, come to class.

GREAT Professor! He's very direct and to the point. I really enjoyed his class and wish he taught the upper level programming classes.

Bono was pretty good for this class and was pretty helpful though I didn't like the class only lasted 10 days. It wasn't really enough time to pick up some of the nuances of the material. He sent daily emails and responded to questions in about an hour at all hours of the day. Definitely recommend taking him.

The material is tough, but his explanations of the advanced topics are clear. If you really want to understand Java, take Bono. He codes in class and explains the whole way through. Even just attending the lectures you will need WAY less study time than the other Java sections because his lectures are very good. Only wish I took 106 with him too.

He's very no-nonsense and a really great instructor. He knows how to break down the tough topics in 206 in a way that actually makes sense and you get it if you pay attention. Take him if you can get into his section. Don't miss any classes or you'll be screwed.

I PASSED!!!! I heard so many bad things about this class I got really anxious, but it wasn't that bad once I got into it. Video lectures were only OK, but the review sessions we had helped the most. Bono really knows how to explain the material well so you actually get it, but if you take him, do it in person instead of online.

I took IT 106 online, so I never interacted with Dr. Bono much outside of coming to campus for tests, but the textbooks are fantastic at helping you understand the basic concepts of Java and program design. Dr. Bono has video lectures and slides on Blackboard for extra help, and he seems to care about the course. 106 isn't as hard as people said.

You're gonna have to work no matter who you take this class with, but Bono is the best teacher for this class. He walks through problems and codes with you in class. Highly recommend him.

10 assignments, 2 quizzes, a midterm, and a final. Alot of work. He gives alot of chances to ask questions in class when you're stuck. Definitely worth taking him.

Hard class but good prof. Exams are in small seats. I wish they would fix this.

Took this class over the break and I pretty much did nothing but java all day every day. The class only has a final exam and you have to teach yourself. Bono was decent. He sent emails every day telling you what to work on and answered questions. Not sure what he's like in person, but the videos were good. Hoping to get into his 206.

I took the class with another instructor and then Bono last Spring. The first instructor just read off the PPT slides. Bono gave alot of examples and would stop in class to ask for questions. I was finally able to get it after hours of practice. It's gonna be hard no matter who you take it with, but I'd recommend him and typing out code.

Im not going to lie I didnt expect passing this class after getting an F on the first quiz. A lot of people tell you that this will be the hardest class of the degree. If you take it with Bono he really takes the time to prepare you for the exam. Just dont give up. I attended the lectures and tried very hard. I ended up passing.

Most skilled teacher I have had in Mason, but is a very tough grader. If you are interested in learning JAVA then take him, but if you are worried about passing with a C then I do not recommend him. He goes at a teaching pace that you set for him. He types code in the class, and provides detailed explanations about the code.

He is a great prof. If you really want to learn JAVA, take him.

Alright, I honestly do not understand why everyone finds this class so difficult. Dr. Bono, is not a bad teacher, but you do need to do outside work to pass this class. If you do not have previous programming experience, then you need to do a little more review before class. Overall, this class is not hard if you devote the time needed to pass it.

This class is hyped up more than it needs to be. I took it at 7:30am and it sucked getting up early, but I wanted to get into Bono's section. He was always too happy that early in the AM, but he explained things so clearly it really wasn't that hard and he stopped for questions alot. I'm going to pass with at least a B because of him. Def recommend

Bono is the best person to take this class with. He codes with you in class, answers questions, and explains the material really clearly without an accent. I emailed him alot at all hours of the day and usually got a response within a few minutes. I feel alot more confident in Java than I did from the class I took at Nova because of it.

I had to take this class online and expected to fail the first time, but didn't. For an online class, he wasn't that bad. Gives weekly emails with tips, posts lectures he talks over, and was available by email. I recommend visiting during his office hours too. Class is easy to get lost, but manageable if you put in the effort.

I think he's a little too intense on the homework & exams, but he's really a great teacher. You come out with a better understanding of Java after taking him. Definitely recommend getting him if you can.

I've had Bono for 2 semesters now (106&206), he is by far my favorite teacher at GMU. Makes lectures entertaining/funny, cares about his students and wants you to succeed. Yes, he is a tough grader and yes, the content is hard.. but if you put in the effort, he will do everything he can to help you get through it.

Honestly one of the best, if not the best professor at Mason. Don't expect to get an easy A. It's not gonna happen. Its a programming class and every teacher will be a strict grader. But he really instills the concepts in your mind and gives you a strong foundation. He really wants you to succeed and his teaching style is just phenomenal. TAKE HIM!

Learning with John Bono is reliant on one factor, you. Bono pushes his students with a an attitude that sometimes borders on anger, but it is needed to impress some concepts on students. Don't take it personally. Take notes. Do the homework. Ask questions. Not letting the course become personal is the first and only step to passing.

My hardest and most rewarding classes at Mason. Having been through two semesters of Java with Bono, I finally appreciate what a great teacher he really is and how hard he pushes you to do your best. He is no nonsense and will call you out if you're slacking. Because of him, I'm going to go into DTP when I thought I was going to go to security.

Professor Bono is a tough grader and a jerk. He's not there to be your friend, he's just there to teach you programming and he does it very damn well. If you really wanna learn the foundations of programming take him for IT106. If you just wanna pass classes then take another professor but most likely you will suffer in IT206 and IT207. Good luck!

Professor Bono is truly an inspiring professor. I graduated from GMU in May of 2018 and he is one of the most memorable professors during my academic career at GMU. I wouldn't say that he is the reason why today I am a software developer but he definitely had an impact. Make sure to attend classes, take good notes and ask a lot of questions.

Need to attend classes or you will fail. Take lots of notes. Assignments are challenging but if you can do them, the midterm and finals are a piece of cake. For quizzes, you will need to know the concepts. For exams, you will need to know the problem solving. Your difficulty also depends on what kind of TA you get. If they are helpful or not.

good professor. he cares about his students and wants you to pass. he will help you if you are struggling but if you do not reach out to him or the TA for help then there is nothing he can do. great guy and makes a few jokes that are funny during class.

I took 206 2 times both with Dr. Bono and passed with a B- on round 2. All throughout the course (both times) Dr. Bono was extremely supportive and encouraged me to put in the work in order to get the grades that I wanted. The content is hard, but Bono is super helpful and breaks things down. Ask LOTS of questions in class, something he encourages.

Best instructor I've had in the department of crappy instructors. He really pushes you to understand Java unlike courses like 213 where you just follow directions in a textbook. Highly recommend getting a class with him.

I didn't study enough for this course but I did manage to come out with a C. The professor is lenient enough, that he gives you enough time to do the assignments. The most difficult part about this class was making sure that your Java code compiled properly, which made me spend around 5-20 hrs every week just trying to figure out all the errors.