Core Java. Volume II. Advanced Features

Introduction

The book "Core Java. Volume II. Advanced Features" (original title Core Java Volume II—Advanced Features) is the second edition of the famous two-volume set by Cay Horstmann, one of the most authoritative authors in the Java world. Published in 2021, the book covers Java versions 9, 11, and 17, making it relevant for modern development. Unlike the first volume, which introduces the basics of the language, this volume is devoted to deep and complex topics necessary for creating professional, scalable, and reliable applications.

What the book is about

The book consists of 12 chapters and several appendices, each dedicated to a separate major topic. The author consistently covers:

• Input/Output Streams and File Handling — from classic streams to NIO.2, asynchronous channels, and working with ZIP archives.
• XML and JSON — parsing, creation, XSLT transformations, as well as modern libraries for working with JSON.
• Network Technologies — sockets, URL connections, HTTP client (new in Java 11), working with proxies.
• Databases (JDBC) — connection, query execution, connection pools, metadata, transactions.
• Internationalization — localization, formatting dates, numbers, messages, working with Unicode.
• Graphical User Interface (Swing and JavaFX) — advanced components, 2D graphics, animation, event handling.
• Exception Handling and Logging — best practices, configuring java.util.logging, SLF4J.
• Generics — in-depth coverage: type erasure, restrictions, wildcards.
• Collections — internal structure, performance, concurrent collections, Stream API.
• Multithreading and Concurrency — Thread, Executor, Fork-Join, CompletableFuture, atomic variables, locks.
• Annotations and Reflection — creating custom annotations, dynamic proxies, working with bytecode.
• Modular System (JPMS) — creating modules, exporting packages, services, migration.

Who this book is for

The book is aimed at intermediate and advanced Java developers who have already mastered the syntax and basic constructs of the language. It will be useful for:

• Programmers transitioning from other languages (C#, C++, Python) who want to study Java in depth.
• Senior students and graduates of technical specialties.
• Developers preparing for interviews for Senior Java Developer positions.
• Anyone who wants to understand the internal structure of the Java platform and learn to write efficient, secure, and maintainable code.

What the reader will learn

After reading the book, the reader will be able to:

• Work with modern I/O APIs, including asynchronous operations.
• Create and parse XML/JSON, integrate with web services.
• Develop client-server applications using HTTP/2.
• Connect to relational databases via JDBC, manage transactions.
• Localize applications for different countries and languages.
• Build complex graphical interfaces using Swing and JavaFX.
• Effectively use generics and collections, avoiding common mistakes.
• Write multithreaded code using modern synchronization tools.
• Apply reflection and annotations to create frameworks.
• Develop modular applications using the Java Platform Module System.

Strengths

• Author authority. Cay Horstmann is one of the leading Java experts; his books are considered the benchmark of technical literature.
• Relevance. The book covers Java versions 9–17, including the long-term support (LTS) Java 17.
• Practical focus