OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will study the following:

• An overview and history of Java;

• Some unique characteristics of Java;

• Reasons for learning Java; and

• An overview of the book

So, you want to learn Java. Why? You probably want to for one or all of the following reasons:

• As a COBOL programmer you feel a need to update your skills;

• Java is hot and so are the jobs for Java programmers;

• Object technology is hot and Java fits perfectly with the object-oriented development your boss is requiring you to learn; and

• You are a naturally curious person who wants to see what this Java stuff is all about.

Whatever your reasons, we're glad you're here!

In this book, we place the emphasis on learning Java from a COBOL perspective. Of the several million COBOL programmers worldwide, a significant number are, or soon will be, learning Java. We have designed this book to help you with that task. We will take what you know about COBOL and apply as much of it as possible to learning Java. But first, let's learn a little about Java in general, nontechnical terms and about object-oriented development. Chapters 1 and 2, respectively, have been set aside for these purposes.