Beginning Java 7

Good luck with the book Jeff.

Having taken a cursory look through the contents was wondering if there is a case study underpinning the topics covered in the book?

Hey Jeff, I was wondering, what audience is this book meant for? Students, experienced developers etc? I'm a student and pretty new to Java and I'd love to win a copy.

Hi Igor and Kevin,

Igor: I believe that anyone with some programming background (it doesn't have to be Java) can benefit from this book. I wrote it to be as easy to grasp as possible. Unfortunately, at my publisher's insistence, I had to include a chapter on Android. I didn't want to write that chapter and would have preferred to have written on another topic such as Java 7 security. Also, a few errata items made it into the book. To address these mistakes, I've created and maintain an errata.pdf file at http://tutortutor.ca/cgi-bin/makepage.cgi?/books/bj7. You can freely download this PDF file along with Appendix C and D PDF files from the page at this URL.

Kevin: Thanks. I haven't created a case study for this book. However, the book does include some significant exercises.

All the best.

Jeff

One more question Jeff. Is this book specifically about the Java programing techniques, or it explains the Java UI toolkits like swing? I recently built my first app in Java and I didn't have nearly as much trouble with Java as I did with Swing. Seems like Swing is the only acceptible UI toolkit for Java and it seems like hasn't been improved since it's first version. Take a look at .NET for example, it is far more advanced and easy to work with, than Swing. This is the reason why I think Java UI toolkits should take part of any Java book.

Thanks

Hi Igor,

My book is basically a tour of Java language features and assorted APIs (and unfortunately some Android at my publisher's insistence). Chapter 7 introduces the reader to Abstract Window Toolkit followed by Swing followed by Java 2D -- the bonus Appendix C from my website also introduces Accessibility and Drag and Drop. I start with AWT because it provides a foundation on which Swing is built.

Swing is a fairly mature toolkit and will continue to be maintained (and possibly enhanced from time to time) because of its wide use. However, the reality is that Swing is yesterday's technology and is being deemphasized in favor of JavaFX.

JavaFX simplifies the creation of applications with rich user interfaces (e.g., effects, animations, and media). Moving forward, JavaFX is the place to be for UI development.

My book doesn't discuss JavaFX because JavaFX isn't integrated into Java 7. If I was writing about Java 8, I would discuss JavaFX instead of AWT/Swing/Java 2D because JavaFX will be integrated into that release. Also, JavaFX will become increasingly important as time passes.

All the best.

Jeff

Jeffrey Friesen wrote:Hi Igor,

My book is basically a tour of Java language features and assorted APIs (and unfortunately some Android at my publisher's insistence). Chapter 7 introduces the reader to Abstract Window Toolkit followed by Swing followed by Java 2D -- the bonus Appendix C from my website also introduces Accessibility and Drag and Drop. I start with AWT because it provides a foundation on which Swing is built.

Swing is a fairly mature toolkit and will continue to be maintained (and possibly enhanced from time to time) because of its wide use. However, the reality is that Swing is yesterday's technology and is being deemphasized in favor of JavaFX.

JavaFX simplifies the creation of applications with rich user interfaces (e.g., effects, animations, and media). Moving forward, JavaFX is the place to be for UI development.

My book doesn't discuss JavaFX because JavaFX isn't integrated into Java 7. If I was writing about Java 8, I would discuss JavaFX instead of AWT/Swing/Java 2D because JavaFX will be integrated into that release. Also, JavaFX will become increasingly important as time passes.

All the best.

Jeff

I wouldn't agree that Swing is maintained though. I was recently working on an app, which had to save RTF content and the Swing's RTFEditorKit wouldn't save the text alignment. It's a real easy fix and they are quite aware of this bug and yet they haven't done anything to fix it. These kinds of things only make me reconsider using swing again. Perhaps JavaFX would be better, despite not beeing primarily meant for desktop applications.

Aside from that, your book seems to have everything I need then. I would love to read it.

Hi Igor,

By maintained, I meant that Oracle undoubtedly makes bug fixes from time to time. It's frustrating when they don't make fixes quickly enough or allow fixes to fall through the cracks. For example, while writing Beginning Java 7, I encountered a strange error message when building a restful web service. The web service worked but the message was disconcerting. I posted a bug item in Oracle's bug database. After a few days, this item disappeared and the problem still wasn't fixed as of Java 7u6.

Regarding JavaFX, I see it evolving into the primary UI development toolkit for desktop, mobile, and other kinds of apps that need a graphical UI.

All the best.

Jeff

P.S.

I'm planning to provide a thorough tour of Swing components in an update to the Appendix C "Odds and Ends" PDF file that's downloadable from my website (http://tutortutor.ca/cgi-bin/makepage.cgi?/books/bj7) -- as soon as time permits.