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Summary: for the code monkeys out there...
Review: Has everything a code monkey needs.
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Summary: Most frequently opened book on my bookshelf
Review: This is truly the book that I consult most often, on my bookshelf at the office.When we are discussing how something should or could be done, usually the first thing I do is look through this book to see if Josh Bloch has any pertinent recommendations. Often he does.
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Summary: Very worthwhile Detailed Java book with General Appeal
Review: This is a great book on the nuances of Java. It complements "The Java Programming Language Third Ed" very well. I especially appreciated the format of the 2-3 page "article style" chapters, where you could have your "Java tip-of-the-day" in just a few minutes. Although a very detail oriented book, it has very general appeal to all types of Java programmers. Very few specific APIs are mentioned as it focuses on the core of the language.
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Summary: An excellent read
Review: This is a kind of book on Java that is long overdue! In C++ we already have been enjoying such great books as "Effective C++", "More Effective C++", "Exceptional C++", and "More Exceptional C++". This book provides similar guidelines for Java developers, and it definitely can compete with the mentioned volumes in its clarity and style. The book covers generic programming, performance, and design techniques that every decent programmer should know and use when developing professional grade code. Although some of the covered issues are specific to the Java programming language, like eliminating obsolete object references and overriding toString(), most of the discussions apply to object-oriented programming in general, including programming in C++. The reason for this is that Joshua Bloch pays a lot of attention to design patterns and programming style, and their influence on the software lifecycle. By clearly showing how many of the design and implementation decisions affect the clarity and aintainability of the code, it proves that almost any decision is a tradeoff of some sort. In other words, the author shows us how to use different language features judiciously to create optimal and robust implementations that will not likely to break in the future as the programs and the Java programming environment evolve.
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Summary: Can't praise it highly enough
Review: It's rare that a book really cuts to the nitty-gritty of good software design in a practical, immediately usable way. This is such a book. It doesn't have a lot of high-concept baggage. Rather, think of it as a sort of Strunk-and-White for Java programming. Each item reminds me of something like Strunk's
"Concise writing is vigorous"-style aphorisms, with examples that are to the point and illustrative. From the utility of immutables to the best practices for enumerated types, this book talks about what just about any programmer will encounter very quickly in his professional development and throughout his career. It's also the kind of book one can open at random and find useful information. Effective Java Programming Language Guide belongs on the shelf of every serious professional programmer, whether beginner, intermediate, or Java guru.
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Summary: Great book for transitioning from other languages
Review: I've been programming c and C++ for over 10 years and have recently started developing in Java. It's taken some time to make the transition and, after reading this book, I realize I'm still far from being proficent in Java. Great read, well documented examples, easy to follow. As groundbreaking as Scott Meyers books for C++. Completely recommend!!
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: If you're looking for some solid programming tips that you can put into effect immediately, this book should do just the trick.
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Summary: Excellent Book Filled With Valuable Knowledge
Review: I considered myself a good Java developer, but after reading the book, I realized that I had much to learn. Some chapters were really eye openers. Things are explained very well, many potential pitfalls identified, and real solutions offered.
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Summary: Absolutely the best Java book I've read
Review: This book is the best resource I've encountered for someone who knows the Java language, but wants to master its use. I can virtually guarantee that the rules and techniques covered in "Effective Java" will form the new foundation on which you will build the rest of your best practices for writing excellent Java code. Written by the Joshua Bloch, the acknowledged expert on the subject, it is as authoritative as they come and extremely well-written. After seven years as a senior developer architecting and implementing algorithms and class libraries in Java (and another 6 years using other languages before that), this book shocked me by summarizing much of what I knew about how to use the language effectively, while teaching me much that I did not know. It continues to top my recommended reading list for all new software developers at my company.
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Summary: This is *The Java Book*
Review: For some body who's programmed in java for some time,
this would be an eye opener. I got an idea of things that I was doing incorrectly quite some time. Though I have not yet finished the book, Of what I have learned from the first couple of sections is invaluable. Highly recomended for any body into Java programming. Santy
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