DESCRIPTION The Java community has always been dynamic and fast-moving, with constant innovation on the core platform as well as a vibrant community ecosystem. New JVM-based languages like Groovy, Scala, and Clojure are redefining what it means to be a Java developer. The core Standard and Enterprise APIs now co-exist with a large and growing body of open source technologies. Multicore processors, concurrency, and massive data stores require new patterns and approaches to development. And with Java 7 due to release in 2011, there's still more to absorb. The Well-Grounded Java Developer is a unique guide written for developers with a solid grasp of Java fundamentals. It provides a fresh, practical look at new Java 7 features along with the array of ancillary technologies that a working developer will use in building the next generation of business software. KEY POINTS F * Covers new Java 7 features F * Quick tutorials on several new JVM languages F * Integrating new features and languages with existing systems

Ben Evans is on the Java SE/EE Executive Committee, helping define standards for the Java ecosystem. He is a Java developer working in the financial industry, an organizer for the UK Graduate Developer Community and a regular public speaker on Java, concurrency and related topics.

Martijn Verburg (aka the "Diabolical Developer") is an independent Java and open source consultant, co-organizer for the London JUG, and a regular conference speaker on Java and open source.