Are you looking for a concise book packed with insight and wisdom not found elsewhere? Need to really understand the Java programming language; that is, really understand it? Do you want to write code that is clear, correct, robust, and reusable? Look no further! The book you are holding will provide you with this and many other benefits you may not even know you were looking for. Become a more effective programmer.

Featuring fifty-seven valuable rules of thumb, Effective Java Programming Language Guide contains working solutions to the programming challenges most developers encounter every day. Offering comprehensive descriptions of techniques used by the experts who developed the Java platform, the book reveals what to do — and what not to do — in order to produce clear, robust, and efficient code.

Each rule appears in the form of a short, stand-alone essay offering insight, code examples, and "war stories" from this uniquely qualified author. The essays include specific advice and insights into the subtleties of the language and are illustrated with exceptional code examples. Throughout the book, common language idioms and design patterns are examined and insightful and enlightening tips and techniques are provided.

Coverage includes:

• Customary and effective language usage that is saturated with expert advice in a concise, readable, and easy-to-access format.
• Patterns, antipatterns, and idioms to help you get the most out of the Java platform.
• Commonly misunderstood subtleties of the language and its libraries: how to avoid the traps and pitfalls.
• Focus on the language and its most fundamental libraries: java.lang, java.util, and, to a lesser extent, java.io.
• Detailed coverage of serialization, including practical advice that is not available elsewhere.

Appealing to a broad spectrum of the programming community, Effective Java Programming Language Guide presents the most practical, authoritative guidelines available for writing efficient, well-designed programs for the Java platform.

Having worked as a platform libraries architect for Java since 1996, Bloch shares with programmers what he has learned about what works, what does not, and how to use the language and its libraries to best effect. He presents 57 specific hints in sections on creating and destroying objects, methods common to all objects, classes and interfaces, substitutes for C constructs, methods, general programming, exceptions, threads, and serialization.
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While specifically targeting intermediate Java programmers (the bulk of Java programmers), this book also provides "food for thought' to advanced programmers and C++ programmers in particular. "Effective Java" is an explicit (and acknowledged) homage to Scott Meyer's "Effective C++."

Providing 50 techniques for improving every Java program and design, this text includes code examples and real-world Java development "war stories".