How do I learn Java5 or Java6? [closed]

Question

I'm a very experienced Java programmer who has spent my entire time working with Java 1.4 and earlier. Where can I find a quick reference that will give me everything I need to know about the new features in Java5 and later in a quick reference?

Answer 1

Java 5 new features

Java 6 new features

The real meat is in Java 5. Generics, Autoboxing, Annotations.

Answer 2

Here's a good place to start:

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.5.0/docs/relnotes/features.html

http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/releases/j2se15/

Answer 3

I would thoroughly recommend Java Concurrency in Practice by Brian Goetz, Tim Peierls, Joshua Bloch, and Joseph Bowbeer. It focusses solely on good concurrency coding, but includes excellent guidance on the new concurrency features in the Java 5 and 6 libraries.

Of course, it is no help at all on the other features, but if you ever deal with threads (and if you have a GUI, then you have threads), then this book is indispensable.