Java 5 Update Course Course

The course is a detailed one-day course covering some of the most important enhancements contained in Java SE 5. The course starts with a general overview of the enhancements and then goes on to detailed explanations of Generics, Type-safe Enums, and the Java facility for Annotations. The course is suitable for experienced Java developers who want to come up to speed on some of the more notable Java 5 enhancements.

The course is designed for experienced Java developers who are thoroughly familiar with J2SE 1.4 core syntax.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
> List the main enhancements introduced by the Java SE 5 platform
> Use generic types, the new for loop, and auto-boxing to effectively handle collections more efficiently and easily
> Recognize the meaning of type erasure and the unusual inheritance characteristics of generic types
> Use wildcards and bounded wildcards correctly with Generics
> List the benefits of the new type-safe enum construct over the usual static final int enums
> Create and manipulate sophisticated type-safe enums whose members include properties and methods
> Identify the basic concepts and syntax involved in the use of annotations in the Java 5 platform
> Effectively use existing annotations or create new ones
> Use the apt tool to process annotations and understand how to write an annotation processor

Unit 1: Introduction To Java 5 Enhancements
Overview: Java 5 Enhancements
The Java SE 5 Platform
Why The New Enhancements?
New for Loop
New for Loop Example
Auto-Boxing
Generic Types
Auto-Boxing Example
Enumerated Types In Java
Java 5 Type-Safe Enums
Annotations
Annotations Example
Other Java 5 Enhancements
Variable Arguments In JDK 1.4
Variable Arguments In Java 5
Static Import
Review: Java 5 Enhancements
Lab: Java 5 Enhancements

Unit 2: Java 5 Generics
Overview: Java 5 Generics
Why Generic Types?
Simple Generics Example
Declaring Generics
Generics And Inheritance
Wildcards For Generic Types
Issues With Wildcards
Bounded Wildcards
Bounded Wildcards (2)
Limitations Of Wildcards
Generic Methods
Using Generics With Legacy Code
Type Erasure
Generic Types Are Shared
Review: Java 5 Generics
Lab: Java 5 Generics

Unit 3: Type-Safe Enums
Overview: Type-Safe Enums
Enumerated Types In J2SE 1.4
Java 5 Type-Safe Enums
Using Enum Types: Example
Card Class Methods
Dealing The Deck
Adding Fields To Enums
Adding Methods To Enums
Constant-Specific Methods
Constant-Specific Method Example
Java 5 Classes Supporting Enums
Methods Of EnumSet
Mapping To Enums With EnumMap
Review: Type-Safe Enums
Lab: Type-Safe Enums

Unit 4: Annotations
Overview: Annotations
What Are Annotations?
Using Annotations
Types Of Annotations
Built-In Annotations
Marker Annotations
Full Value Annotations
Meta-Annotations
The @Target Annotation
The @Retention Annotation
The @Documented Annotation
The @Inehrited Annotation
Defining Your Own Annotations

Advanced Uses Of @Inherited
Annotation Processing With apt
apt Processing Order
apt Command Line Options
Review: Annotations
Lab: Annotations

The course is designed for experienced Java developers who are thoroughly familiar with J2SE 1.4 core syntax. Topics like collections, reflection, type-safety, and meta-programming will be addressed. In addition, familiarity with basic J2EE concepts is helpful but not required.