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.

Thousands of expert Java developers rely on The Java Developers Almanac for the fast answers they need to save time -- and the authoritative guidance they need to build great applications. Together, the Part A and Part B volumes are twice as big as the previous edition. The Java Developers Almanac Version 1.4 offers up-to-the-minute, thorough quick-reference information for every major version of the core Java Class Libraries, from JDKs 1.0/1.1 through the brand-new J2SE Version 1.4. You'll find updated coverage of 2,100 classes and 24,000 members -- all formatted, organized, and cross-referenced for easy lookup. No other quick ref includes as much information. The book is now printed in 2-color -- so it's even easier to find what you're looking for. The Java Developers Almanac Version 1.4 presents complete member listings of every covered class; detailed analyses of API changes for each release, and 300+ "examplets" succinctly demonstrating each package's key operations. This, Part B, and its companion Part A, are logically divided in a way programmers will understand. Both volumes are essential resources for every Java developer.