In the latest Java Specialists' Newsletter, we debate why you should write generics code such as class TaxPayer<P extends TaxPayer<P>>. Is it necessary, or would class TaxPayer<P extends TaxPayer> have been sufficient?

The Object Adapter Design Pattern is often used for modifying an interface into another interface that the client expects. A drawback with this pattern is that you need to implement all the methods of the target interface. In this newsletter, solve the problem with dynamice proxies

There is a serious error in the JDK 1.5 compiler, pointed out to me by one of my readers, Amotz Anner. Using final local variables in conjunction with ternary if-else where one side of the values is null, leads to incorrect results.

There is absolutely nothing you can do with a deadlocked thread. You cannot stop it, you cannot interrupt it, you cannot tell it to stop trying to get a lock, and you also cannot tell it to let go of the locks that it owns. In this BLOG, Heinz shows a method in JDK 1.5 how you can be notified whenever a thread becomes deadlocked.

Let us walk down memory lane together as we look at the pre-cursor to Java, a language called Oak, developed by Sun Microsystems for use on their handheld device. The will answer many old questions: Why are there no enums in Java? Why does the protected modifier allow package access? What is an asynchronous exception?

Java Strings are strange animals. They are all kept in one pen, especially the constant strings. This can lead to bizarre behaviour when we intentionally modify the innards of the constant strings through reflection. Join us, as we take apart one of Java's most prolific beasts.