Optimizing Java by Ben Evans, James Gough & Chris Newland

I hadn't read the subtitle of “Optimizing Java” so I didn't know it was about JVM performance vs application level tricks. That turned out to be a pleasant surprise as I learned more.

I learned a good number of things. From the fun (CAFEDADA bytecode for modules) to the practical (tools for looking at JVM resources)

I've heard a talk about garbage collection a few times now. G1GC isn't easy to understand. Between reading this book and hearing one more talk on it, the concepts finally clicked.

I also learned a lot about modern hardware vs what I learned in school. And what book isn't made better by a ninja quote?

There were some API level concepts like why toUpperCase() is so complicated to implement. Along with warnings about premature optimization.

This is the first O'Reilly book that I've read that is in color. It definitely made the graphs better.

I give this book 10 out of 10 horseshoes.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing this review on behalf of CodeRanch.

Hi everyone.

I'm Ben Evans, one of the authors of the book. I'll be popping into the forums to answer any questions that people have - about the book, my work with the LJC or anything else. The other authors and our illustrator should be here as well.

Thank you for having us on CodeRanch this week - and please ask away!

Ben

Hi all, I'm Anna Evans, the illustrator for Optimizing Java.

If you have any questions about the illustrations in the books – or about creating technical diagrams and visualisations in general – just ask!