This book, written by one of the designers of generics, is a thorough explanation of how to use generics, and particularly, the effect this facility has on the way developers use collections.

This student-friendly book is designed for a course in data structures where the implementation language is Java. The focus is on teaching students how to apply the concepts presented, therefore many applications and examples are included, as well as programming projects, which get students thinking more deeply. The author shows students how to use the data structures provided in the Java Collections Framework, as well as teaching them how to build the code themselves. Using the Java Collections Framework gives the students the opportunity to work with fully tested code. Also, since this is a standard library of classes, students will be able to continue to use it for other courses and as they move into industry. Another feature of this text is that labs are provided with the book. They can be used as open-labs, closed labs, or homework assignments and are designed to give students hands-on experiences in programming. These optional labs provide excellent practice and additional material.

The Collections Framework is supplied with all versions of the Java 2 platform and provides programmers with incredibly efficient ways to manipulate data. However, given the large number of methods and classes in this library, using them correctly is hardly a cakewalk. Well-known columnist and bestselling author John Zukowski gives the Java professional exactly what he or she needs to know about this vital library in order to maximize productivity. This practical book contains comprehensive coverage of the important Collections Framework from the working programmer's point of view, while staying away from academic abstractions. Java Collections leads you through the standard Java support for maintaining abstract groups of data, from the historical collection classes available since the inception of Java time, through the Collections Framework introduced with the Java 2 platform, and on to third-party alternative libraries for times when the standard support isn't enough. If you're working with data in Java programs, you need to understand the Collections Framework. Let Zukowski's Java Collections be your guide! Table of Contents Java Collections Framework: An Overview Arrays The Vector and Stack Classes The Enumeration Interface The Dictionary, Hashtable, and Properties Classes The BitSet Class Collections Introduction Sets Lists Maps Sorting Special Collections Support Array Algorithm Support Custom Implementations Compatibility Issues Advanced Usages JGL Libraries util.concurrent Colt

A unique, practical approach to working with collection classes in Java 2 Software developers new to Java will find the practical, software-engineering based approach taken by this book extremely refreshing. With an emphasis more on software design and less on theory, Java Collections explores in detail Java 2 collection classes, helping programmers choose the best collection classes for each application they work on. Watt and Brown explore abstract data types (ADTs) that turn up again and again in software design, using them to provide context for the data structures required for their implementation and the algorithms associated with the data structures. Numerous worked examples, several large case studies, and end-of-chapter exercises are also provided.

This updated edition introduces the basics of Java and everything necessary to get up to speed on the new 1.4 version quickly. CD contains the Java 2 SDK for Windows, Linux and Solaris.

Focuses on the little-touched but critical parts of the Java programming language that the expert programmers use. Learn about extremely powerful and useful programming techniques such as reflection, advanced data modeling, advanced GUI design, and advanced aspects of JDO, EJB, and XML-based web clients. This unique book reveals the true wizardry behind the complex and often mysterious Java environment. --O'Reilly web site