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Kevin Jones

This course covers some of the fundamentals and inner workings of the Java Virtual Machine. This class will be the first in the series and will examine class loading.

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This course covers some of the fundamentals and inner workings of the Java Virtual Machine. This class will be the first in the series and will examine class loading.

Java is built around classes; these classes have to be loaded into memory and loading that is the responsibility of class loaders. The first part of this course will look at this class loading mechanism and how to write class loaders. Once you understand this, several scenarios become available, such as hot deployment of classes and the side-by-side loading of classes. Java has a rich type system and rich metadata. Reflection is the mechanism by which you can examine that metadata at runtime, and use that information to build rich applications. In the second part of this course, we will see how to use reflection to both examine this metadata at runtime and use it within our applications.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Introduction
The Basics of Classloading
Writing Our Own Class Loader
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Kevin Jones, who is recognized for his work in the development of the Java Virtual Machine
Develops foundational knowledge of the Java Virtual Machine, which is an essential tool for Java developers
Covers side-by-side loading and hot deployment, which are advanced techniques for managing Java classes
Teaches reflection, which is a powerful technique for examining and manipulating Java metadata at runtime
Could be useful for developers who want to build more robust and efficient Java applications
Does not cover the latest versions of Java or the Java Virtual Machine

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Reviews summary

Jvm internals: class loading & reflection

According to learners, this course offers an excellent deep dive into the inner workings of the Java Virtual Machine, particularly in class loading and reflection. Students frequently highlight the instructor's clear explanations of complex concepts and the value of practical examples, especially the hands-on activity of building an IoC container. While considered highly relevant for professionals seeking to understand 'magic' behind the scenes, prospective students should note it is not for beginners and may have a fast pace, occasionally requiring self-study for deeper grasp of intricate topics.
Strong emphasis on hands-on application and demos.
"Building the IoC container was the highlight, truly demonstrating the power of reflection."
"I appreciated the hands-on coding examples and the build-up to the IoC container."
"I especially appreciated the hands-on examples that accompanied each concept, reinforcing the learning."
Instructor excels at explaining complex topics clearly.
"The instructor's explanation of class loading, especially custom class loaders and hot deployment, was incredibly clear and practical."
"The instructor clearly knows his stuff."
"The instructor's ability to simplify complex topics is remarkable."
Provides a thorough understanding of core JVM concepts.
"This course is absolutely fantastic for anyone looking to dive deep into JVM internals."
"Excellent deep dive into an often-overlooked area of Java."
"This course genuinely filled gaps in my understanding of how Java applications truly work under the hood."
Pace can be fast, some desire more complex scenarios.
"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit rushed, and I occasionally wished for more advanced real-world scenarios."
"I found the pace quite fast at times, assuming a significant prior understanding of intricate Java concepts."
"I would have loved even more complex scenarios or troubleshooting tips for real-world issues..."
Best suited for intermediate to advanced Java developers.
"Highly recommend for intermediate to advanced Java developers."
"This course is definitely for those who already have a strong grasp of Java basics and want to understand the 'magic' behind the scenes. It's not for beginners."
"If you're not already comfortable with advanced Java, be prepared for a steep learning curve."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Class Loading and Reflection with these activities:
Practice Programming in Java
Sharpen your Java programming skills by practicing coding exercises to improve your proficiency before the course begins.
Browse courses on Java Programming
Show steps
  • Find online coding challenges or exercises
  • Solve the coding problems using Java
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement
Review Classloading Fundamentals
Review the basics of classloading to refresh your understanding and strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Java Virtual Machine
Show steps
  • Read through the official Java documentation on classloading
  • Review your notes or previous coursework on classloading concepts
  • Attempt to answer practice questions on classloading
Create a Mind Map of Java Classloading
Organize your understanding of Java classloading by creating a comprehensive mind map that visually represents the concepts and their relationships.
Browse courses on Java Virtual Machine
Show steps
  • Brainstorm and list down all the key concepts related to classloading
  • Identify the connections and relationships between these concepts
  • Create a visual representation of the mind map using tools or software
  • Review and refine your mind map for clarity and completeness
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Engage in Classloading Discussions
Participate in peer-to-peer discussions to exchange knowledge, clarify concepts, and deepen your understanding of classloading.
Browse courses on Java Virtual Machine
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or study groups
  • Actively participate in discussions, asking questions and sharing insights
  • Collaborate with peers on projects or exercises related to classloading
Follow a Tutorial on Reflection
Explore the topic of reflection through a guided tutorial to enhance your understanding and gain practical experience.
Browse courses on Reflection
Show steps
  • Identify a comprehensive tutorial on reflection
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, implementing the concepts in your own code
  • Experiment with different reflection techniques and APIs
  • Review the official Java documentation on reflection
Solve Practice Problems on Reflection
Enhance your understanding of reflection by solving practice problems that challenge you to apply the concepts and techniques effectively.
Browse courses on Reflection
Show steps
  • Find a collection of practice problems on reflection
  • Attempt to solve the problems on your own
  • Check your solutions against provided answers or discuss them with peers
  • Analyze your performance and identify areas where you need further practice
Explore Side-by-Side Classloading with a Tutorial
Gain insights into the concepts and techniques of side-by-side classloading through a guided tutorial that provides practical examples.
Show steps
  • Identify a tutorial that covers side-by-side classloading
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, implementing the concepts in your own code
  • Experiment with different scenarios and configurations
  • Review the official Java documentation on side-by-side classloading

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Class Loading and Reflection will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Developer
As a Software Developer, you are in charge of designing, implementing, and testing new software applications or features. This course can help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to perform this role, as it provides an in-depth overview of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). By understanding how the JVM works, you will be better equipped to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers apply engineering principles to the design, development, testing, and deployment of software applications. Understanding the JVM is an important part of a Software Engineer's job, as it allows them to develop software that is efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Full-Stack Developer
As a Full Stack Developer, you will be responsible for the entire software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing and deployment. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Software Architect
Software Architects design and develop the architecture of software applications. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Technical Architect
Technical Architects design and develop the technical architecture of software applications. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Technical Lead
Technical Leads lead teams of software developers. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Software Project Manager
Software Project Managers plan, organize, and manage software development projects. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers work with software and hardware to design, develop, and maintain computer systems. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software that is efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software that is efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
IT Manager
IT Managers plan, organize, and manage IT departments. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve business problems. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers develop and implement machine learning models. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Software Tester
Software Testers test and evaluate software applications to ensure that they are working as expected. Understanding the JVM is an important part of this role, as it allows you to develop software applications that are efficient and reliable. This course provides an overview of the JVM, as well as how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime.
Java Developer
As a Java Developer, you will be responsible for developing, testing, and deploying Java applications. This course may be helpful to you, as it covers the fundamentals of the Java Virtual Machine and how to use reflection to examine metadata at runtime. This knowledge can help you develop Java applications that are efficient and reliable.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Class Loading and Reflection.
Is the official specification for the Java Virtual Machine. It is an essential reference for developers who want to understand the inner workings of the JVM.
Provides comprehensive coverage of Java concurrency, including a chapter on class loading and reflection. It is an excellent resource for developers who want to learn more about these topics.
Provides practical advice on writing effective Java code, including best practices for class loading and reflection. It valuable resource for developers of all levels.
Provides a comprehensive overview of design patterns in Java. It includes a chapter on using reflection to implement the Factory Method pattern.
Provides a comprehensive guide to test-driven development. It includes a chapter on using reflection to test code.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Java programming, including a chapter on class loading and reflection. It good choice for developers who want to learn more about Java.
Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to Java programming, including a chapter on class loading and reflection. It good choice for developers who are new to Java.

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