A style guide for improving Java developmentI actively use the patterns in Essential Java Style:Patterns for Implementation in my own development. They have gone a long way to making my code easier to write and more bug-free. The patterns have also aided me in taking convoluted code from other developers and refactoring it into a simpler form that can be readily understood and maintained.
As a companion book to Essential Java Style, I recommend Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code, by Martin Fowler et.al. Smalltalk developers will recognize the pattern language as being the one from Kent Beck's excellent book, Smalltalk Best Practice Patterns.
Essential Java Style is a simple book, as my goal in software development has always been to make things simple. The "patterns" are not complex and should be understandable by any Java developer. While the book should be useful for Java developers at all levels, it is especially geared toward the developer who has just read "How to Program In Java" or some such book, and is wondering how to best put all of it together. The section on collections is intended to be an overview of the Collections Framework in Java 2 from the perspective of how to best use it.
Essential Java Style uses patterns to promote preferred techniques for code implementation. Pattern purists may quibble with the pattern form, but the spirit of what patterns are is maintained in my effort to simplify implementation concepts.
Corporate shops may find Essential Java Style useful as a standards guide.
Essential Java Style is a book written from the heart. If it helps improve code out there just a little bit, then my goal will have been accomplished.