java

To clarify another review that listed the limited coverage of the new features in 1.4, the coverage of the new features is:

1. Assertions: 12 pages.
2. Logging: 16 pages.
3. New IO: 62 pages.
4. XML: 62 pages.
5. Preferences API: 9 pages.
6. JASS and JSSE: 22 pages (JAAS), 16 pages (JSSE).
7. Regular Expressions: 9 pages.
8. Security: The same as the 3rd ed., and the additions of JAAS and JSSE.

This includes, of course, the information in the quick-reference section, which the previous review omitted. And this is the best part of the book, and this edition: the structure expected in Flanagan's reference remains, but it has been refined (including class heirarchy diagrams for each class, not just for each package) and elaborated. While it may seem overly simple -- it is mostly a listing of the signatures of every public method in every class -- it is invaluable when programming, for it answers the question of *what* the name and parameters of methods are. The *how* to use them is ultimately left to the programmer; the book does not hold your hand.

Thus the book is, of course, merely an overview of the core Java classes. But it summarizes a very large and very complex API in a logical and easy-to-use manner, and those in search of detail on any single subject are better off purchasing a book on that subject.

The only clear fault with this edition -- and it is a major one -- is the omission of the thumb-indexes from the quick-reference section. This makes navigating this most important part of the book more difficult, and I think the use of a magic marker on the edges of pages will become necessary. Except for this flaw, this is a five-star reference, still.

This isn't a textbook. It's a handbook, and gives good, clear descriptions of every corner of the Java language. Java isn't a big feature-sodden language, but has a few obscure corners. If you just can't remember the syntax for up-reference from an inner class, you'll find it fast and explained well.

The API guide is fairly complete, but terse. Well, it has to be - the API keep growing. No one book could hold a complete description of everything. Sad to say, earlier editions had more complete API descriptions. The second, for example, had a very good introduction to reflection. As the Java API grew, however, the old descriptions had to shrink to make way for the new, and the reflection discussion was squeezed out. Still, it gives a good quick look at the API. This isn't as complete as the Javadoc API information, but is hugely more browseable. Use this to direct your query into the right area, then use Sun's Javadoc to get the details.

If you have room for only one Java book, make it this one.

I keep this book by my side and reference it at least twice a week. An integral part of my Java programmer's desktop library.