Java Language Improvements

• Using string literals in switch statements
• Using underscores in literals to improve code readability
• Using the try-with-resources block to improve exception handling code
• Creating a resource that can be used with the try-with-resources technique
• Catching multiple exception types to improve type checking
• Rethrowing exceptions in Java 7
• Using the diamond operator for constructor type inference
• Using the @SafeVarargs annotation

File and Directory Operations

• Locating Files and Directories Using Paths
• Obtaining File and Directory Information
• Managing Files and Directories
• Managing Filesystems

Stream IO in Java 7

• Managing simple files
• Using buffered IO for files
• Random access IO using the SeekableByteChannel
• Managing asynchronous communication usingthe AsynchronousServerSocketChannel class
• Writing to a file using the AsynchronousFileChannel class
• Reading from a file using the AsynchronousFileChannel class
• Using the SecureDirectoryStream class

Graphical User Interface Improvements

• Mixing heavyweight and lightweight components
• Managing window types
• Managing the opacity of a window
• Creating a varying gradient translucent window
• Managing the shape of a window
• Using the new border types in Java 7
• Handling multiple file selection in the FileDialog class
• Controlling the print dialog box type
• Using the new JLayer decorator for a password field

Handling Events

• Managing extra mouse buttons and high resolution mouse wheels
• Controlling a focus when displaying a window
• Using secondary loops to mimic modal dialog boxes
• Handling spurious thread wakeups
• Handling applet initialization status with event handlers

Database, Security, and System Enhancements

• Using the RowSetFactory class
• Java 7 database enhancements
• Using the ExtendedSSLSession interface
• Using the platform MXBeans for JVM or system process load monitoring
• Redirecting input and output from operating system's processes
• Embedding a JNLP file in an HTML page

Concurrent Processing

• Introduction
• Using join/fork framework in Java
• Using the reusable synchronization barrier Phaser
• Using the new ConcurrentLinkedDeque safely with multiple threads
• Using the new LinkedTransferQueue class
• Supporting multiple threads using the ThreadLocalRandom class

Odds and Ends

• Handling weeks in Java 7
• Using the Currency class in Java 7
• Using the NumericShaper.Range enumeration to support the display of digits
• JavaBean enhancements in Java 7
• Handling locales and the Locale.Builder class in Java 7
• Handling null references
• Using the new BitSet methods in Java 7