Practical Java(tm) Programming Language Guide (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing) [Taschenbuch]

This approach is designed to illustrate gotchas, some of which are surprisingly subtle. You use the book interactively: hence the affected decision to use the word Praxis (an archaic version of practice) to differentiate the 68 sections. In Objects and Equality Praxis, Haggar illustrates the differences between using on primitive integer values and on integer references. He then proceeds to show how making assumptions about the way the "equals" method works can cause even stranger--yet still legal--behaviours.

Basically, Peter Haggar is teaching you not to make assumptions about the way Java does things. A neat example is the Notify All methods which ensures all waiting threads are woken up. Threads activity is often dependent on the condition of other threads. You might reasonably assume Notify All wakes threads in priority order--but it doesn't. Its action is JVM-dependent.

Object- oriented programming is supposed to remove the need to know what's happening behind the scenes--but this is the real world, not a theoretical one. Understanding Java's underpinnings will make you a faster, more efficient, more highly paid programmer and newbies will sit beneath your swivel chair awaiting wisdom. --Steve Patient

This book is organized simply and effectively with 68 practical tips (or in the author's terms "praxes") for writing better Java code. Tips are grouped into sections, such as general tips, objects and equality, exception handling, and performance and multithreading. The book illustrates each tip with short code excerpts demonstrating effective coding strategies (plus several common Java pitfalls).

The book contains numerous standout sections, including the proper way to write equals methods for custom classes, tips for writing more efficient classes, and numerous do-it-yourself techniques for optimizing code. (As the author suggests, not all of today's Java compilers will do this optimization for you.) The book contains several sections that should be read by every Java developer, and though some tips are more obscure, there's certainly something to benefit every reader.

While C++ programmers have had books on coding style for years, Java is only now coming into its own with titles like this one. With its concise format, no-nonsense prose style, and expert-eye perspective on Java, Practical Java: Programming Language Guide shows the same maturing refinement as the language it lucidly describes. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Java programming tips, understanding references, final and static keywords, using instanceof, tips for garbage collection, custom equals methods, exception handling tips, using finally blocks, using exceptions with constructors, performance tips, compile-time vs. run-time code optimization, using StringBuffer, minimizing object creation, arrays, Java native code, multithreading tips, the synchronized keyword, spin locks, Java interfaces for emulating multiple inheritance, the abstract keyword, the clone method and immutable objects, tips for finalize methods.