Java: The Complete Reference, Twelfth Edition, 12th Edition

Preface about Java: The Complete Reference, Twelfth Edition, 12th Edition ebook

Java is one of the world’s most important and widely used computer languages. Furthermore, it has held that distinction for many years. Unlike some other computer languages whose influence has waned with the passage of time, Java’s has grown stronger.

Java leapt to the forefront of Internet programming with its first release. Each subsequent version has solidified that position. Today, it is still the first and best choice for developing web-based applications. It is also a powerful, general-purpose programming language suitable for a wide variety of purposes. Simply put: much of the modern world runs on Java code. Java really is that important.

A key reason for Java’s success is its agility. Since its original 1.0 release, Java has continually adapted to changes in the programming environment and to changes in the way that programmers program. Most importantly, it has not just followed the trends, it has helped create them. Java’s ability to accommodate the fast rate of change in the computing world is a crucial part of why it has been and continues to be so successful.

Since this book was first published in 1996, it has gone through several editions, each reflecting the ongoing evolution of Java. This is the twelfth edition, and it has been updated for Java SE 17 (JDK 17). As a result, this edition of the book contains a substantial amount of new material, updates, and changes. Of special interest are the discussions of the following key features that have been added to the Java language since the previous edition of this book:

•  Enhancements to switch

•  Records

•  Pattern matching with instanceof

•  Sealed classes and interfaces

•  Text blocks

Collectively, these constitute a substantial set of new features that significantly expand the range, scope, and expressiveness of the language. The switch enhancements add power and flexibility to this foundational control statement. The inclusion of records offers an efficient way to aggregate data. The addition of pattern matching to instanceof enables a more streamlined and resilient approach to a common programming task. Sealed classes and interfaces give you fine-grained control over inheritance. Text blocks let you enter multiline string literals, greatly simplifying the process of inserting such strings into your source code. Collectively, these new features fundamentally expand the ways in which you can design and implement solutions.

A Book for All Programmers

This book is for all programmers, whether you are a novice or an experienced pro. The beginner will find its carefully paced discussions and many examples especially helpful. Its in-depth coverage of Java’s more advanced features and libraries will appeal to the pro. For both, it offers a lasting resource and handy reference.

What’s Inside

This book is a comprehensive guide to the Java language, describing its syntax, keywords, and fundamental programming principles. Significant portions of the Java API library are also examined. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the Java programming environment.

Part I presents an in-depth tutorial of the Java language. It begins with the basics, including such things as data types, operators, control statements, and classes. It then moves on to inheritance, packages, interfaces, exception handling, and multithreading. Next, it describes annotations, enumerations, autoboxing, generics, modules, and lambda expressions. I/O is also introduced. The final chapter in Part I covers several recently added features: records, sealed classes and interfaces, the enhanced switch, pattern matching with instanceof, and text blocks.

Part II examines key aspects of Java’s standard API library. Topics include strings, I/O, networking, the standard utilities, the Collections Framework, the AWT, event handling, imaging, concurrency (including the Fork/Join Framework), regular expressions, and the stream library.

Part III offers three chapters that introduce Swing.

Part IV contains two chapters that show examples of Java in action. The first discusses Java Beans. The second presents an introduction to servlets.

Special Thanks

I want to give special thanks to Patrick Naughton, Joe O’Neil, and Danny Coward.

Patrick Naughton was one of the creators of the Java language. He also helped write the first edition of this book. For example, among many other contributions, much of the material in Chapters 22, 24, and 28 was initially provided by Patrick. His insights, expertise, and energy contributed greatly to the success of that book.

During the preparation of the second and third editions of this book, Joe O’Neil provided initial drafts for the material now found in Chapters 31, 33, 35, and 36 of this edition. Joe helped on several of my books, and his input has always been top-notch.

Danny Coward is the technical editor for this edition of the book. Danny has worked on several of my books, and his advice, insights, and suggestions have always been of great value and much appreciated.

I also want to thank my wife Sherry for all of her contributions to this book, and to my other books as well. Her thoughtful advice, proofreading, and indexing have always contributed greatly to a successful outcome of each project.

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