Java™ in a Nutshell ^{3rd Ed.}

This bestselling book is an essential quick reference for all Java programmers. It contains an accelerated introduction to the Java language and its key APIs, so seasoned programmers can start writing Java code right away. The third edition of Java in a Nutshell covers Java 1.2 and Java 1.3 beta and includes:

• A description of the syntax of the Java language, written in a tight, concise style, that can serve as both a fast-paced tutorial and a language reference
• An explanation of the object-oriented features of Java that doesn't assume any prior object-oriented programming experience
• An overview of the essential Java APIs that shows how to perform common tasks, such as string manipulation, input/output, and thread handling, with the classes and interfaaces that comprise the Java 2 platform
• Documentation for the Java development tools shipped with Sun's Java SDK

This book also includes O'Reilly's classic-style, quick-reference material for all the classes in the essential Java packages, including java.lang, java.io, java.beans, java.math, java.net, java.security, java.text, java.util, and javax.crypto. This reference material covers all the new classes in Java 1.2 and 1.3. Once you've learned Java, you'll keep this book next to your keyboard for handy reference while you program.

This book is part of the two-volume set of quick references that every Java programmer needs. It is an essential companion to Java Foundation Classes in a Nutshell, which covers the graphics and graphical user interface APIs in the Java 2 platform, including Swing, AWT, and Java 2D. A third volume, Java Enterprise in a Nutshell, focuses on the Java Enterprise APIs and is of interest to programmers working on server-side or enterprise Java applications.

• Part 1: Introducing Java
1. Introduction
• What Is Java?
• Key Benefits of Java
• An Example Program
2. Java Syntax from the Ground Up
• The Unicode Character Set
• Comments
• Identifiers and Reserved Words
• Primitive Data Types
• Expressions and Operators
• Statements
• Methods
• Classes and Objects
• Array Types
• Reference Types
• Packages and the Java Namespace
• Java File Structure
• Defining and Running Java Programs
• Differences Between C and Java
3. Object-Oriented Programming in Java
• The Members of a Class
• Creating and Initializing Objects
• Destroying and Finalizing Objects
• Subclasses and Inheritance
• Data Hiding and Encapsulation
• Abstract Classes and Methods
• Interfaces
• Inner Class Overview
• Static Member Classes
• Member Classes
• Local Classes
• Anonymous Classes
• How Inner Classes Work
• Modifier Summary
• C++ Features Not Found in Java
4. The Java Platform
• Java Platform Overview
• Strings and Characters
• Numbers and Math
• Dates and Times
• Arrays
• Collections
• Types, Reflection, and Dynamic Loading
• Threads
• Files and Directories
• Input and Output Streams
• Networking
• Processes
• Security
• Cryptography
5. Java Security
• Security Risks
• Java VM Security and Class File Verification
• Authentication and Cryptography
• Access Control
• Security for Everyone
• Permission Classes
6. JavaBeans
• Bean Basics
• JavaBeans Conventions
• Bean Contexts and Services
7. Java Programming and Documentation Conventions
• Naming and Capitalization Conventions
• Portability Conventions and Pure Java Rules
• Java Documentation Comments
8. Java Development Tools
• appletviewer
• extcheck
• jar
• jarsigner
• java
• javac
• javadoc
• javah
• javakey
• javap
• jdb
• keytool
• native2ascii
• policytool
• serailver
• Part 2: API Quick Reference
9. The java.beans Package
10. The java.beans.beancontext Package
11. The java.io Package
12. The java.lang Package
13. The java.lang.ref Package
14. The java.lang.reflect Package
15. The java.math Package
16. The java.net Package
17. The java.security Package
18. The java.security.acl Package
19. The java.security.cert Package
20. The java.security.interfaces Package
21. The java.security.spec Package
22. The java.text Package
23. The java.util Package
24. The java.util.jar Package
25. The java.util.zip Package
26. The javax.crypto Package
27. The javax.crypto.interfaces Package
28. The javax.crypto.spec Package
29. Class, Method, and Field Index

It could be easier and more pedagogic, but at least it is pretty complete.