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Effective Java by Joshua Bloch

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Fair Use Source: B078H61SCH (EffJav 2017)

Effective Java (3rd Edition) by Joshua Bloch, 414 pages, Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 3 edition, Publication Date: December 18, 2017, ASIN: B078H61SCH

The Definitive Guide to Java Platform Best Practices – Updated for Java 7, Java 8, and Java 9

See Java best practices.

Given the scope and complexity of your request, I'll begin by summarizing “Effective Java” by Joshua Bloch, providing an overview that adheres to your requirements. However, it's important to note that specific URLs to GitHub repositories related to the book, an official website for the book itself, and direct links to its Amazon page might not be available or universally applicable. “Effective Java” doesn't have an official website, and while there are many GitHub repositories that contain information, examples, or discussions about the book, they are not officially endorsed by the author or publisher. I'll ensure to follow the structure and content requirements closely.

Introduction

“Effective Java” is a seminal work in the Java programming community authored by Joshua Bloch. This book is renowned for its concise, yet comprehensive coverage of best practices in Java programming. It is structured around specific items, organized under broader categories, that guide developers on how to write cleaner, more efficient, and more maintainable Java code. Bloch's insights are drawn from his extensive experience as a software engineer and designer, having contributed to the Java platform itself.

Categories of Best Practices

The book is divided into several categories, each focusing on a different aspect of Java programming. These include creating and destroying objects, methods common to all objects, classes and interfaces, generics, enums and annotations, lambdas and streams, methods, concurrency, and serialization, among others. Each category is designed to tackle a fundamental part of the Java language, providing the reader with a deep understanding of Java's nuances.

Creating and Destroying Objects

In this section, Bloch discusses patterns and practices such as singleton design, factory methods, and the builder pattern. The emphasis is on creating objects in a manner that is both efficient and understandable, which includes avoiding unnecessary object creation and ensuring proper cleanup through garbage collection and resource management.

Methods Common to All Objects

Bloch explores the importance of overriding methods like `equals`, `hashCode`, and `toString` correctly. He provides clear guidelines on how these methods should be implemented and the implications of getting them wrong, which can affect collections, debugging, and the general behavior of applications.

Classes and Interfaces

This part focuses on the design of classes and interfaces, advocating for immutability where possible, and the careful use of composition over inheritance. Bloch also discusses the importance of designing interfaces with care to ensure they are robust, flexible, and usable.

Generics

Bloch delves into Java's generics system, providing guidance on how to use generics to improve type safety and readability. He addresses common pitfalls and how to circumvent them, including the use of wildcards, type bounds, and type tokens.

Enums and Annotations

Here, the author explains the power and flexibility of enums in Java, demonstrating how they can be used far beyond simple constants. Annotations and their ability to add metadata to code elements are also covered, with advice on how to create and use them effectively.

Lambdas and Streams

This section is particularly relevant in the context of Java 8 and beyond, as Bloch examines the introduction of lambdas and the stream API. He offers best practices for using these features to write clear, concise, and efficient functional-style code.

Methods

In discussing methods, Bloch emphasizes the importance of designing methods carefully, with a focus on their signatures, parameter lists, and return types. He advocates for clarity and simplicity, advising against overly long parameter lists and highlighting techniques like overloading with care.

Concurrency

Concurrency is a complex topic in Java, and Bloch provides a thorough overview of best practices for writing safe, scalable concurrent code. This includes discussions on the use of threads, synchronization, and higher-level abstractions provided by the Java concurrency libraries.

Serialization

The serialization section warns of the pitfalls associated with Java's built-in serialization mechanism. Bloch advises on safer alternatives for object serialization and deserialization, emphasizing the importance of security and maintainability.

Conclusion and Further Reading

“Effective Java” concludes with a discussion on the evolving nature of Java and how developers can continue to apply the principles outlined in the book as the language grows. Bloch encourages ongoing learning and adaptation to new Java features and best practices.

Author, Publisher, and Publication Year

Joshua Bloch is the author of “Effective Java.” It was published by Addison-Wesley Professional. The third edition, which is the most recent as of my last update, was published in 2018.

ISBN and ASIN Numbers

The ISBN for the third edition is 978-0134685991, and the ASIN is B078H61SCH.

MLA Bibliographic Citation

Bloch, Joshua. *Effective Java*. 3rd ed., Addison-Wesley Professional, 2018.

Additional Resources

While there isn't an official website for “Effective Java,” readers can find the book available for purchase on [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Java-Joshua-Bloch/dp/0134685997).

Regarding GitHub repositories, there are numerous unofficial repositories where developers discuss and share examples from the book, such as [GitHub - Effective Java Examples](https://github.com), but please note that these are community-driven and not officially affiliated with the book or author.

Given the nature of GitHub and Amazon URLs, they can change or vary by region, so it's advisable to search for “Effective Java Joshua Bloch” on these platforms to find the most current and relevant links.

Java has changed dramatically since the previous edition of Effective Java was published shortly after the release of Java 6. This Jolt award-winning classic has now been thoroughly updated to take full advantage of the latest language and library features. The support in modern Java for multiple paradigms increases the need for specific best-practices advice, and this book delivers.

As in previous editions, each chapter of Effective Java, Third Edition, consists of several “items,” each presented in the form of a short, stand-alone essay that provides specific advice, insight into Java platform subtleties, and updated code examples. The comprehensive descriptions and explanations for each item illuminate what to do, what not to do, and why.

The third edition covers language and library features added in Java 7, 8, and 9, including the functional programming constructs that were added to its object-oriented roots. Many new items have been added, including a chapter devoted to lambdas and streams.

New coverage includes

   Functional interfaces, lambda expressions, method references, and streams
   Default and static methods in interfaces
   Type inference, including the diamond operator for generic types
   The @SafeVarargs annotation
   The try-with-resources statement
   New library features such as the Optional interface, java.time, and the convenience factory methods for collections