Picking up where the authors' first volume on Java left off,
Core Java 2, Volume 2 covers the more advanced features of the Java 2 platform that can add polish and power to your Java programs. The authors' accessible--yet thorough--coverage of essential Java APIs help make this book an attractive choice for any working Java developer.
Several chapters here are especially useful for getting control of new and important Java 2 features. Sections on the new Java 2 collection classes and using advanced Swing classes (like tables and trees) are particularly good. (While many other books just list Swing APIs, this volume provides short examples and effective commentary, which will let you master these complex Swing controls.) When it comes to Java2D graphics, the authors do a nice job of comparing the old AWT to the new Java2D, including drawing basic shapes and doing text output. (These operations are surprisingly tricky in this new API). A section on the new JDBC 2 standard shows off new features like ResultSets and scrollable cursors to good effect.
More advanced topics include multithreading, internationalization, and security. Throughout, this text introduces important concepts illustrated with comprehensible examples. The APIs for individual classes are listed too, making it possible to use this book as a reference, but it is the tutorial sections that stand out here. (The authors also aren't afraid to point out where Java 2 is lacking--for example, in its printing support.)
Readers of the first volume will naturally want the second volume of Core Java 2 too. It's also a great choice for any Java developer with JDK 1.1 experience who wants a tour of new Java 2 features that are essential for serious corporate development. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Java 2 advanced APIs, multithreading and synchronization, Java 2 collections, networking, databases and JDBC 2 (cursors and result sets), RMI and remote objects, Swing user interface classes, printing, tables and trees, JavaBeans, security and deployment, internationalization issues, JNI and native methods.
User review
Excellent resource for Java Intermediate to Expert developers
I really love this book, it has been useful for me at work.
It helps you covering the gaps on Java basics and gives you good real world advises.
The Multithreading chapter walks you thru from a simple threaded application to a thread pool app. Does go in deep on Threadpooling but gives you enough to get started with it.
The Distributed Objects nicely covers the steps to develop and deploy an RMI app, taking in consideration the small nuts and bolts in configuration and set-up like RMI registry and how to pass parameters and also introduce you to how JNDI works. Which is quite useful to a serious Java programmer.
I found an small problem when starting the server app, but was able to fixed after reviewing the SUN's tutorial on RMI to complement this book info. (thus the 4 stars)
I almost skip the Database Programming chapter, since I have experience with DBs and JDBC but I would have missed the LDAP coverage which was very good, glad I reviewed. I liked the example suggested using open software which makes thing easier to test.
Have not look into Swing and AWT chapters since I am mostly involved with back end development.
Finally I am reviewing the Security chapter which has revealed some intrinsects of how classes are loader and how to customize the process and it has proven been helpful in the deployment process of small apps.
User review
good book worth to buy
good book its worth to buy,
they have cover max posible topics,
smart tricks, tips technique, and diff b/w 1.4 and 1.5
although annotation topic : just overview, if you are looking for
jdk 1.5 annotaions topic then this is not the book,
other than annotaions every topic is well covered
User review
Core Java 2, Volume II - 7th Edition
Having purchased the first editions of Cay Horstmann's two volume Core Java set, I knew that I needed this book when I upgraded to Java 5.0 and began trying to take advantage of its new features. Previously I had been using Java 1.2 and so had quite a learning curve. The book was very helpful. I canvassed nearby bookstores and the library and found nothing as good. Most of the examples I tried worked right out of the book. When they did not it was because my application(s) differed from the author's. That in itself was good. The examples, and text, taught me enough that I could easily fill in the blanks.
I have one piece of advise for anyone buying the 7th Edition set. If you have earlier editions, keep them. There is explanation in the 1st edition that is omitted from the 7th edition.
User review
good java book
if you have some basic java skill, you should get this book, it's very good for improve your level of programming skill.
User review
The best book on Java I was able to find
I am a mature (i.e. old) professional who uses computers for custom problem solving, i.e. I am not a professional programmer, but pretty darn close.
There is a lot of books out there on Java programming, but the vast majority of them suffer from two deadly sins of technical writing:
- either they regurgitate other, usually free, information (like help files or manuals that come with the software) in the hope you wouldn't notice and buy it anyway
- or they assume you are a sheer idiot who needs to be fed trivia along with simplistic info, lest you become bored or worse, won't get it and drop the book.
Well, I do get it and I appreciate anyone who does not waste my time by underestimating my mental capabilities. This book proved to be the one and only material I can read without cursing - professionally written, covering all the right topics without being too cute or condescending, providing answers to most questions an intelligent, computer-literate professional might have while attempting to learn Java all the way up to advanced professional apps. My main need was to learn the ways to implement trees with editable fields, and this book took me right up to it. I had to search the web for some extra coding examples, but all peculiarities of the live code I had encountered were to be found in one of the Core Java (either vol I or this one).
You want to learn something useful, get these books.
