book

Java in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

by Benjamin J. Evans, David Flanagan

October 2014

Beginner to intermediate

418 pages

11h 30m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Foreword
Preface
Changes in the Sixth EditionContents of This BookRelated BooksExamples OnlineConventions Used in This BookRequest for CommentsSafari® Books OnlineAcknowledgments
I. Introducing Java
1. Introduction to the Java Environment
The Language, the JVM, and the EcosystemWhat Is the Java Language?What Is the JVM?What Is the Java Ecosystem?A Brief History of Java and the JVMThe Lifecycle of a Java ProgramFrequently Asked QuestionsJava SecurityComparing Java to Other LanguagesJava Compared to CJava Compared to C++Java Compared to PHPJava Compared to JavaScriptAnswering Some Criticisms of JavaOverly VerboseSlow to ChangePerformance ProblemsInsecureToo Corporate
2. Java Syntax from the Ground Up
Java Programs from the Top DownLexical StructureThe Unicode Character SetCase Sensitivity and WhitespaceCommentsReserved WordsIdentifiersLiteralsPunctuationPrimitive Data TypesThe boolean TypeThe char TypeInteger TypesFloating-Point TypesPrimitive Type ConversionsExpressions and OperatorsOperator SummaryArithmetic OperatorsString Concatenation OperatorIncrement and Decrement OperatorsComparison OperatorsBoolean OperatorsBitwise and Shift OperatorsAssignment OperatorsThe Conditional OperatorThe instanceof OperatorSpecial OperatorsStatementsExpression StatementsCompound StatementsThe Empty StatementLabeled StatementsLocal Variable Declaration StatementsThe if/else StatementThe switch StatementThe while StatementThe do StatementThe for StatementThe foreach StatementThe break StatementThe continue StatementThe return StatementThe synchronized StatementThe throw StatementThe try/catch/finally StatementThe try-with-resources StatementThe assert StatementMethodsDefining MethodsMethod ModifiersChecked and Unchecked ExceptionsVariable-Length Argument ListsIntroduction to Classes and ObjectsDefining a ClassCreating an ObjectUsing an ObjectObject LiteralsLambda ExpressionsArraysArray TypesCreating and Initializing ArraysUsing ArraysMultidimensional ArraysReference TypesReference Versus Primitive TypesManipulating Objects and Reference CopiesComparing ObjectsBoxing and Unboxing ConversionsPackages and the Java NamespacePackage DeclarationGlobally Unique Package NamesImporting TypesImporting Static MembersJava File StructureDefining and Running Java ProgramsSummary
3. Object-Oriented Programming in Java
Overview of ClassesBasic OO DefinitionsOther Reference TypesClass Definition SyntaxFields and MethodsField Declaration SyntaxClass FieldsClass MethodsInstance FieldsInstance MethodsHow the this Reference WorksCreating and Initializing ObjectsDefining a ConstructorDefining Multiple ConstructorsInvoking One Constructor from AnotherField Defaults and InitializersSubclasses and InheritanceExtending a ClassSuperclasses, Object, and the Class HierarchySubclass ConstructorsConstructor Chaining and the Default ConstructorHiding Superclass FieldsOverriding Superclass MethodsData Hiding and EncapsulationAccess ControlData Accessor MethodsAbstract Classes and MethodsReference Type ConversionsModifier Summary
4. The Java Type System
InterfacesDefining an InterfaceExtending InterfacesImplementing an InterfaceImplementing Multiple InterfacesDefault MethodsMarker InterfacesJava GenericsIntroduction to GenericsGeneric Types and Type ParametersDiamond SyntaxType ErasureWildcardsCompile and Runtime TypingEnums and AnnotationsEnumsAnnotationsDefining Custom AnnotationsType AnnotationsNested TypesStatic Member TypesNonstatic Member ClassesLocal ClassesLexical Scoping and Local VariablesAnonymous ClassesHow Nested Types WorkLambda ExpressionsLambda Expression ConversionMethod ReferencesFunctional ProgrammingConclusion
5. Introduction to Object-Oriented Design in Java
Java ValuesImportant Methods of java.lang.ObjecttoString()equals()hashCode()Comparable::compareTo()clone()Aspects of Object-Oriented DesignConstantsInterfaces Versus Abstract ClassesInstance Methods or Class Methods?Composition Versus InheritanceField Inheritance and AccessorsSingletonExceptions and Exception HandlingSafe Java Programming
6. Java’s Approach to Memory and Concurrency
Basic Concepts of Java Memory ManagementMemory Leaks in JavaIntroducing Mark and SweepThe Basic Mark and Sweep AlgorithmHow the JVM Optimizes Garbage CollectionEvacuationThe HotSpot HeapCollecting the Old GenerationOther CollectorsFinalizationFinalization DetailsJava’s Support for ConcurrencyThread LifecycleVisibility and MutabilityExclusion and Protecting StatevolatileUseful Methods of ThreadWorking with ThreadsSummary
II. Working with the Java Platform

7. Programming and Documentation Conventions
Naming and Capitalization ConventionsPractical NamingJava Documentation CommentsStructure of a Doc CommentDoc-Comment TagsInline Doc-Comment TagsCross-References in Doc CommentsDoc Comments for PackagesConventions for Portable Programs
8. Working with Java Collections
Introduction to Collections APIThe Collection InterfaceThe Set InterfaceThe List InterfaceThe Map InterfaceThe Queue and BlockingQueue InterfacesAdding elements to queuesRemoving elements from queuesQueryingUtility MethodsSpecial-case collectionsArrays and Helper MethodsLambda Expressions in the Java CollectionsFunctional ApproachesThe Streams APIConclusion
9. Handling Common Data Formats
TextSpecial Syntax for StringsString ImmutabilityRegular ExpressionsNumbers and MathHow Java Represents Integer TypesJava and Floating-Point NumbersJava’s Standard Library of Mathematical FunctionsJava 8 Date and TimeIntroducing the Java 8 Date and Time APIQueriesAdjustersLegacy Date and TimeConclusion
10. File Handling and I/O
Classic Java I/OFilesStreamsReaders and Writerstry-with-resources RevisitedProblems with Classic I/OModern Java I/OFilesPathNIO Channels and BuffersByteBufferMapped Byte BuffersAsync I/OFuture-Based StyleCallback-Based StyleWatch Services and Directory SearchingNetworkingHTTPTCPIP
11. Classloading, Reflection, and Method Handles
Class Files, Class Objects, and MetadataExamples of Class ObjectsClass Objects and MetadataPhases of ClassloadingLoadingVerificationPreparation and ResolutionInitializationSecure Programming and ClassloadingApplied ClassloadingClassloader HierarchyReflectionWhen to Use ReflectionHow to Use ReflectionDynamic ProxiesMethod HandlesMethodTypeMethod LookupInvoking Method Handles
12. Nashorn
Introduction to NashornNon-Java Languages on the JVMMotivationExecuting JavaScript with NashornRunning from the Command LineUsing the Nashorn ShellScripting with jjsNashorn and javax.scriptIntroducing javax.script with NashornAdvanced NashornCalling Java from NashornNashorn’s JavaScript Language ExtensionsUnder the HoodConclusionProject Avatar
13. Platform Tools and Profiles
Command-Line ToolsVisualVMJava 8 ProfilesMotivationCompact ProfilesConclusion
Index

Overview

The latest edition of Java in a Nutshell is designed to help experienced Java programmers get the most out of Java 7 and 8, but it’s also a learning path for new developers. Chock full of examples that demonstrate how to take complete advantage of modern Java APIs and development best practices, the first section of this thoroughly updated book provides a fast-paced, no-fluff introduction to the Java programming language and the core runtime aspects of the Java platform.

The second section is a reference to core concepts and APIs that shows you how to perform real programming work in the Java environment.

Get up to speed on language details, including Java 8 changes
Learn object-oriented programming, using basic Java syntax
Explore generics, enumerations, annotations, and lambda expressions
Understand basic techniques used in object-oriented design
Examine concurrency and memory, and how they’re intertwined
Work with Java collections and handle common data formats
Delve into Java’s latest I/O APIs, including asynchronous channels
Use Nashorn to execute JavaScript on the Java Virtual Machine
Become familiar with development tools in OpenJDK

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