posted 16 years ago
First, let me answer your specific question: There is very significant coverage of regular expressions in the book. There are several pages of background info followed by several recipes that use them. Thus, the coverage is far more than just an introduction to regular expressions.
That said, one of the hardest parts about writing programming books is deciding what is appropriate and what isn't in terms of the reader's previous programming experience. In the case of my cookbook, I tried to find the right balance so as not to leave beginner's behind, but to also satisfy the advanced programmer.
To make sure that I did not lose beginning programmers, I included substantial background material and describe several basic techniques. Then I show several recipes that are much more advanced. Also, each recipe has a section called Options and Alternatives. In many cases, more advanced solutions are also described there.
Of course, as I say in Chapter 1: "...most things in programming are easy once you know how to do them, but difficult when you don't." Therefore, what one reader sees as introductory, another sees as advanced! This is the great challenge that one faces as a programming author. But, I think that you will be happy with the result.
BTW: Regular expressions are covered in Chapter 2, and I must admit that it is my favorite chapter in the book.
For my latest books on Java, including Introducing JavaFX 8 Programming, see HerbSchildt.com