Learning latest on Java

[Preethi Vallam]

Hi,

I had last used Java 6 extensively in my projects after completing SCJP6 and, though I have heard of the features after that, I haven't been able to get a certification on Java versions after that. Would you please suggest some way to get a refresher till latest Java21 features? How do I approach it and how much time would I need to update myself? Can you suggest some quick techniques?

Thanks
Preethi

[Jason Blinn]

I think Oracle has a page on each Java release where they go over 'what's new". At least, they used to. I always found that helpful to understand what had changed between each version. If you're on 6, then look for the release notes for 7 (I think it was still Sun back then but they may still have those on Oracle's site.)

IIRC Java 8 may represent a big jump for you. You could also get an O'Reilly subscription and look for a book dedicated to Java 7 then Java 8 etc etc... I seem to recall these types of books appearing  for each version from various authors at the time.    

HTH

Preethi Vallam wrote:Hi,

I had last used Java 6 extensively in my projects after completing SCJP6 and, though I have heard of the features after that, I haven't been able to get a certification on Java versions after that. Would you please suggest some way to get a refresher till latest Java21 features? How do I approach it and how much time would I need to update myself? Can you suggest some quick techniques?

Thanks
Preethi

[Anil Philip]

Preethi Vallam wrote:Would you please suggest some way to get a refresher till latest Java21 features? How do I approach it and how much time would I need to update myself? Can you suggest some quick techniques?

There is no quick technique. I suggest you buy Boyarsky-Selikoff's Java 17 OCP-829 Study Guide.
Or if you prefer video lectures, then Simon Roberts has a series on Java via O'Reilly subscription ($299 when on sale).
Use it to learn Java, not for certification. Java 17 Certification nowadays takes a very long time if you are average like myself.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Anil Philip wrote: . . . There is no quick technique.

Couldn't agree more.

I suggest you buy Boyarsky-Selikoff's Java 17 OCP-829 Study Guide. . . .

I don't think a cert exam book will help you learn Java17. My favourite book used to be Cay Horstmann's big book (Core Java2), but I haven't seen its more recent incarnations. It also depends on how much experience you have; Horstmann isn't a beginner's book nor a basic tutorial, so I don't think a beginner will find it at all useful.
I think the most useful thing to do is to write code using the newer features. Lots of it. Play with it until it starts to go wrong; I think you can learn more from code going wrong that from code running smoothly all the time.

[Paul Anilprem]

You may go through release notes of each version. Skip the bugs fixes and focus on new features. Explore the features that interest you.

[Anil Philip]

Anil Philip wrote:
There is no quick technique. I suggest you buy Boyarsky-Selikoff's Java 17 OCP-829 Study Guide.

Also buy Enthuware's question bank as it is close to the real exam, highly recommended by many, and very affordable at $10 (as of now).

[Campbell Ritchie]

Anil Philip wrote:. . . Also buy Enthuware's question bank . . . .

Disagree. However good Enthuware is, it won't help you  learn new features. If you are stuck on Java6 () which was superseded nearly fifteen years ago, try Java8 in Action or Modern Java in Action by Urma Fusco and Mycroft (Manning) to introduce λs, Streams, and functional‑like features. Don't go for both books; they are different editions of the same work.