Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE)

Java SE lets its users develop and deploy Java applications on desktops and servers, as well as embedded environments. Java SE contains the core of the Java programming language libraries.

 

The components of Java SE are Java Development Kit (JDK), Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Java SE application programming interface (API). JDK contains the JRE and the compilers and debuggers necessary for developing applets and applications. JRE provides the libraries, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and the components needed to run Java applets and applications. (See graphic below)

Java SE Conceptual Diagram

 

Learn Java SE

Review the essential Java concepts like concurrency, expressions, collections, arrays, generics and more with the Java Tutorials. They cover all those advanced concepts with detailed explanations and code examples. Complete the short exams to test your knowledge along the way. Java Glossary is also available for a list of Java terms.

Learn about Java Reflection

 


Create a Java application in NetBeans with this step-by-step tutorial. It also explains the NetBeans development tool and development techniques. Learn how to build real-world business application with Java SE hand-on workshop. It offers detailed lab instructions and exercises as well as a comprehensive overview of Java SE

JavaOne presentations offers Java development learning content from the week-long Java conference. It has a mix of tutorials and conference sessions, representing hours of great learning content for free. Learn about the new Java SE features
Why Should I Switch to Java SE 7?
CON4862 - The Road To Lambda

London Java Community: How to Change the World
Java Deployment on Mac OS X

Oracle Developer Days are taking place around the world. Check the upcoming events to attend an event in your area. They are free but space is limited.  Virtual Developer Days (VDD) – Java are also available live scheduled for different regions. The next Virtual Developer Days are on February 14 and 28, 2013 for the Americas and Asia Pacific and EMEA.

A number of lessons are available to prepare beginners to three Java certifications. With explicit explanations and examples, those lessons cover basic and advanced Java subjects as well as the latest features in Java 7 and a good way of testing your Java knowledge

Recommended Readings:

OCA (Oracle Certified Associate) Java SE 7 Programmer I Study Guide, by Robert Liquori and Edward Finegan, Oracle Press
OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates (April, 2013)
The Complete Reference, 8th Edition, and Java: A Beginner’s Guide, 5th Edition by Herbert Schildt. New editions of both books will be available in late 2013.

 

Answer to TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: When you're just learning Java, it is often useful to check your understanding of key features as you progress in your studies. To help you do that, we asked Herb Schildt, the author of the bestselling Oracle Press book "Java: The Complete Reference", to provide several questions that test your knowledge of three core topics that all Java programmers must master:  data types, variables, and arrays.  For detailed information related to these, and the many other features of the Java language, see Herb's comprehensive book, Java:The Complete Reference, 8th edition. 

Answer: The boolean type is used for true/false values. The types float and double can represent values with fractional components. The loop control variable of a for loop is typically of type int.


Herbert Schildt, whose programming books have sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, is the Oracle Press author of a number of Java books, including his most recent Java: The Complete Reference, 8th Edition, and Java: A Beginner’s Guide, 5th Edition. New editions of both books will be available in late 2013.