Java For Dummies, 8th Edition

Introduction

What's all the fuss about Java? To help answer that question, I offer a few facts:

• More than a third of the world's programmers use Java as one of their primary programming languages. That's at least 5.2 million programmers. And Java powers more than 52 percent of the world's back-end web services.^*
• Ninety percent of all Fortune 500 companies use Java.^**
• Websites that use Java include Google, YouTube, LinkedIn, Amazon, and eBay.^***
• In 2021, Glassdoor, Inc., ranked jobs based on earnings potential, job satisfaction, and number of available job openings. Among the company's “50 Best Jobs in America for 2021,” a career as a Java developer ranked number one.^****

Sounds good. Right?

Please, read on.

1. ^* https://blog.jetbrains.com/idea/2020/09/a-picture-of-java-in-2020
2. ^** https://blogs.oracle.com/oracleuniversity/post/why-does-java-remain-so-popular
3. ^*** www.frgconsulting.com/blog/why-is-java-so-popular-developers
4. ^**** www.glassdoor.com/List/Best-Jobs-in-America-LST_KQ0,20.htm

About This Book

This book isn't the usual dry techie guide. It's written for normal human beings — people with little or no programming experience. In this book, I divide Java into manageable chunks. Each chunk is (more or less) a chapter on its own. I explain concepts in plain language using complete code examples that you can download and run. I keep each code example focused on a few key concepts. I resist the urge to use fancy tricks that impress professional programmers. I expand on concepts ...