Never got around to doing this. Oh well… 6 years ago

I’m at the tail-end of a really interesting java-based dm/workflow/kitchensink type of project :) Goodness, the learning curve was steeper and slipperier than the slopes of everest during an ice storm, but I persevered, and I think it’s going to pay off beautifully! 8 years ago

Playing around with these two things right now. 8 years ago

The first book I read about Java was all about Applets—is it any wonder that I never got fired up about the language?

That was then. These days there are plenty of good reasons to reconsider Java: the Eclipse IDE, first-class support for Java in Mac OS X, the maturation of alternate languages for the JVM and native compilation of Java, and the emergence of XML-powered web services, to name a few.

Java is far from a perfect language. But it’s looking to be an important one. It may also still be the best running bet for keeping Microsoft dot-Net in check, if you care about that kind of thing.

In order to bring my Java up to speed, I’ve gone on a book-buying binge, focusing on technologies where Java shines and which I can immediately start applying at work:

1. Concurrent Programming in Java
2. J2EE Development without EJB
3. Hibernate in Action
4. Processing XML with Java

As I work through these books, I keep Eclipse open on my laptop. I’m not usually a fan of IDEs, but Eclipse is different. It seems more like writing lisp in emacs than working in IDEs like CodeWarrior or XCode, which is to say it’s not just GUI gloss for those uncomfortable with command line tools. The language and the environment are tightly integrated to provide you with instant feedback and decision support.

Further Reading:

I’m under the impression that the five-star guide to Eclipse has not yet been written - but if you’ve heard differently, please let me know. I’d also be interested in picking up an advanced book on Unit Testing or Test-Driven Development. “Processing XML with Java” touches lightly on Web Services, but I’m going to want more depth in the subject soon. Finally, I’m intrigued by the rise of Aspect Oriented Programming and by the dynamic languages which are being built on top of the JVM, and which play well with “pure” Java - particularly Groovy. I’d like to know more about those technologies, though I am wary of committing to a particular contending solution in either case. 8 years ago