Book excerpt: Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours, Seventh Edition Covers Java 8 and Android Development In just 24 lessons of one hour or less, you can learn the fundamentals of Java programming. In this book's straightforward, step-by-step approach, each lesson builds on everything that's come before, helping readers learn Java's core features and techniques from the ground up. Friendly, accessible, and conversational, this book offers a practical grounding in the language, without ever becoming overwhelming or intimidating. Full-color figures and clear instructions visually show you how to program with Java. Popular author Rogers Cadenhead helps you master the skills and technology you need to create desktop and web programs, web services, and even an Android app in Java. Learn how to: Set up your Java programming environment Write your first working program in just minutes Control program decisions and behavior Store and work with information Build straightforward user interfaces Create interactive web programs Use threading to build more responsive programs Read and write files and XML data Master best practices for object-oriented programming Create flexible, interoperable web services with JAX-WS Use Java to create an Android app Expand your skills with closures, the powerful new capability introduced in Java 8 Contents at a Glance PART I: Getting Started 1 Becoming a Programmer 2 Writing Your First Program 3 Vacationing in Java 4 Understanding How Java Programs Work PART II: Learning the Basics of Programming 5 Storing and Changing Information in a Program 6 Using Strings to Communicate 7 Using Conditional Tests to Make Decisions 8 Repeating an Action with Loops PART III: Working with Information in New Ways 9 Storing Information with Arrays 10 Creating Your First Object 11 Describing What Your Object Is Like 12 Making the Most of Existing Objects PART IV: Programming a Graphical User Interface 13 Building a Simple User Interface 14 Laying Out a User Interface 15 Responding to User Input 16 Building a Complex User Interface PART V: Moving into Advanced Topics 17 Storing Objects in Data Structures 18 Handling Errors in a Program 19 Creating a Threaded Program 20 Using Inner Classes and Closures 21 Reading and Writing Files 22 Creating Web Services with JAX-WS 23 Creating Java2D Graphics 24 Writing Android Apps Appendixes A Using the NetBeans Integrated Development Environment B Where to Go from Here: Java Resources C This Book's Website D Setting Up.