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 does not 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 interfaces 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 of 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 of 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.