The Java Developers Almanac: Amazon.co.uk: Patrick Chan: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

While Java started out simply enough with relatively few objects and APIs, today's Java 2, Standard Edition (J2SE) bundles over 2,100 classes. The Java Developer's Almanac provides a truly valuable reference to nearly all the classes and APIs in standard Java. This "white pages" for Java puts all classes and APIs at your fingertips, along with short samples illustrating essential programming tasks.

It's a compliment to say that this title resembles a telephone book. With over 1,000 pages (and printed on similar grade of paper), like a phonebook, The Java Developers Almanac is organised alphabetically. Early sections look at Java 2 classes by package, such as graphics (including Java 2D), file I/O, network programming, AWT and Swing. Early sections include several hundred short code excerpts, which provide key programming solutions.

The heart of this text is an A-to-Z compendium of over 2,100 Java classes and a whopping 24,000 methods and properties. Readers get a listing of what's in each class, along with prototype and arguments. As an "almanac" there is no room for explaining what each method does, but by using a clever set of symbols, each listing provides the details of each method (such as which ones are "final," "static" and the like), plus the version of Java in which each method first appeared (JDK 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3). These reference sections set a new standard of clarity for documenting classes. (Method and property names are aligned in the middle of the page regardless of return type, a typographic convention that makes it easy to find what you need quickly.)

Later sections provide useful references that list the changes from Java 1.0 through 1.3, as well as PersonalJava, the Java Native Interface (JNI), plus some of the details of the Java Virtual Machine (with a listing of byte codes). An innovative index cross-references all methods and classes (including where objects are used as parameters and return values). Truly encyclopaedic and remarkably well organised, this book is a virtual must-have resource for any serious Java developer. --Richard Dragan, Amazon.com

Topics covered:

Comprehensive reference to Java 2, Standard Edition (J2SE) packages, classes and APIs (including 2,100 classes and 24,000 methods), sample code for common programming tasks, working with graphics and images (including Java 2D), playing audio and MIDI files, Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) and Swing components, JDBC database basics, directory programming with JNDI/LDAP, file system and file I/O, using the Java reflection APIs, basic socket, URL and networking in Java.
RMI working with Strings, arrays and collections.
Unicode, locale and internationalisation support
documented changes in JDK 1.0 through JDK 1.3, the Java Native Interface (JNI), classes included in PersonalJava, and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) byte codes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The Ultimate Java Quick Reference The Java Developers Almanac is the most up-to-date quick reference available for all of the new Java 1.2 Class Libraries (Beta 3). Also included is coverage forsix newly released extension packages Java3D JMF Servlets JNDI JAF JavaMail Every one of the 1,900 classes and 21,000 members is covered in this single volume, carefully formatted and arranged for easy lookup. In this book you will find *complete member listings of every class (including inherited members!) *class inheritence hierarchies for every package *extensive cross-reference *detailed analysis of API changes for each major release *quick reference information for the language, the virtual machine, JNI, PersonalJava(tm), and more No matter what level Java programmer you are, you will find this book an invaluable tool for everyday Java development. 0201379678B04062001

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

The essential reference for Java programmers. 18 Jan 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is an almanac; and, true to its name, it packs a LOT of information into a SMALL package. Thorough and yet concise, it has the highest content-to-page ratio of any programming reference I have seen. The Java classes are big and the _Java Developers Almanac_ is the tool to use to quickly find the details needed to get programs running. It is a great help for rapid prototyping in new application areas, and to fine-tune and polish the finished product. The "traditional" class documentation found in other reference books can be tiring, frustrating and time consuming to use because it usually only describes what is new to a class, leaving it to the reader to flip around to chase up the inheritance tree to see everything. The "Almanac" tells everything for every class. While this may be a redundant use of paper and ink, it is a great time saver to the programmer trying to use a new class.

This is not a book to learn Java or object oriented programming. This is an excellent reference for the experienced object oriented programmer.

The _Java Developers Almanac_ is a "must have" reference for contractors and "road warrior" programmers who only have a briefcase for an office.

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A definate *MUST* to any serious Java developer 15 July 1998

Back in 1995, when I first started programming with Java.. everyone kept on saying 'Nutshell, Nutshell, Nutshell'.. I refused to listen.

Well.. Mike Afergan provided a much better book (as a desktop reference) called 'Java Quick Reference' (ISBN 078970868X). Good work Mike! :) It left my mates for dead when I showed them a 'better' solution - as a desktop reference.

The 'Java Almanac' is a great companion to the 'Java Class Libraries, Second Edition' series (ISBN 0201310023 and ISBN 0201310031). I feel it is a must for anyone who is serious in developing with Java as it outlines clearly the differences between 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 - compatibility between these is a huge mess!

IT IS ONLY A REFERENCE BOOK!

If you wish to learn Java.. this is not the book for you.. it is for experienced Java people only. However, if you are get the three books listed, you have enough to get started and develop some serious applications.

/az

Difficult to read 5 Aug 2007

By S. Leonard

I have a number of Java books, and these (vol1 and 2) are on the pile that don't get read. I like books that are intuitive to use. These aren't. It reads like a phone book.

The website is excellent, so I bought the book unseen on Amazon. Waste of money. Just keep using the website instead.

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