Master core Java programming with production-quality patterns.
Overview
This skill covers Java fundamentals including syntax, OOP, collections, streams API, and exception handling for Java 8-21.
When to Use This Skill
Use when you need to:
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Write clean, idiomatic Java code
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Design classes following OOP principles
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Choose appropriate collection types
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Implement functional programming patterns
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Handle exceptions properly
Topics Covered
Core Syntax (Java 8-21)
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Variables, data types, operators
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Control flow, methods, classes
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Records (Java 16+), sealed classes (Java 17+)
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Pattern matching (Java 21)
Object-Oriented Programming
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Classes, inheritance, polymorphism
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Interfaces and abstract classes
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SOLID principles
Collections Framework
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List: ArrayList, LinkedList
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Set: HashSet, TreeSet
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Map: HashMap, ConcurrentHashMap
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Queue: ArrayDeque, PriorityQueue
Streams API
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filter, map, flatMap, reduce, collect
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Optional handling
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Parallel streams
Exception Handling
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Checked vs unchecked exceptions
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Try-with-resources
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Custom exceptions
Quick Reference
// Record (Java 16+)
public record User(String name, String email) {}
// Pattern matching (Java 21)
String format(Object obj) {
return switch (obj) {
case Integer i -> "Int: %d".formatted(i);
case String s -> "String: %s".formatted(s);
default -> obj.toString();
};
}
// Stream operations
List<String> names = users.stream()
.filter(User::isActive)
.map(User::getName)
.sorted()
.toList();
// Optional handling
String name = Optional.ofNullable(user)
.map(User::getName)
.orElse("Unknown");
Collection Selection
| Indexed access | ArrayList | O(1) random access
| Unique elements | HashSet | O(1) contains
| Sorted unique | TreeSet | O(log n) sorted
| Key-value pairs | HashMap | O(1) get/put
Troubleshooting
| NullPointerException | Null reference | Use Optional
| ConcurrentModificationException | Modify during iteration | Iterator.remove()
| ClassCastException | Wrong type | Use generics
Usage
Skill("java-fundamentals")