Summary:
The book ‘Java in a Nutshell’ by David Flanagan is a comprehensive yet concise desktop reference guide for Java programmers, covering all the essential aspects of the language.
Genre:
Non-fiction/Computer Science
Main Topic:
Java programming language
Key Ideas:
– Introduces Java programming and its evolution
– Provides in-depth coverage of Java syntax and class libraries
– Covers advanced topics such as network programming, security, and multithreading
– Includes examples and tips for effective Java programming
Main Parts of the Book:
1. Introduction: Provides a brief history of Java and an overview of its features.
2. Language Basics: Covers the fundamentals of Java programming, including data types, variables, and control structures.
3. Classes and Objects: Explains object-oriented programming concepts in Java, along with class design and inheritance.
4. Interfaces and Inner Classes: Covers interfaces, inner classes, and lambda expressions.
5. Packages, Modules, and JAR Files: Provides an overview of Java packaging and modularity.
6. Exceptions and Assertions: Explains how to handle exceptions and use assertions for debugging.
7. Java Syntax Reference: An exhaustive reference guide for all the language elements of Java.
8. The Java Class Libraries: Covers the standard Java class libraries, including collections, I/O, networking, and GUI.
9. Java Security: Explains the security features and tools available in Java.
10. Java Applets and Applications: Provides an overview of both applets and applications in Java.
11. XML and Java: Covers the integration of XML with Java programming.
12. Swing: A detailed guide to building GUIs using the Swing library.
13. Concurrency: Explains the multithreading features in Java.
14. The Java Platform Module System: Covers the new module system introduced in Java 9.
15. Network Programming: Covers the principles and techniques for writing networked programs in Java.
16. JavaBeans: Provides an overview of JavaBeans and how to use them.
17. Reflection: Covers the reflection API and dynamic class loading in Java.
Key Takeaways:
– A comprehensive guide to Java programming language
– Covers both basic and advanced topics
– Includes practical examples and tips for effective programming
– Serves as a quick desktop reference for Java programmers
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
David Flanagan is a computer programmer and author, with over 30 years of programming experience. He has written several books on programming, including ‘Java in a Nutshell’, and has worked for companies like Microsoft and Sun Microsystems.
Target Audience:
The book is primarily targeted towards Java programmers, both beginners and experienced, who need a quick and comprehensive reference guide for the language.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The book ‘Java in a Nutshell’ was first published by O’Reilly Media in 1997. It has since been updated multiple times to cover the latest versions of Java.