GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech Java Cookbook • Ian Darwin & Jeanne Boyarsky
May 8, 2026
Ian Darwin, author and longtime Java trainer behind Java Cookbook, shares stories from early Java days and publishing with O'Reilly. He discusses favorite Java features like string templates and records. They cover tool choices such as JUnit and Mockito, practical chapter picks like regex and reflection, and candid thoughts on AI, hiring juniors, and why the fifth edition still matters.
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String Templates Were Loved But Removed
- Ian favored the now-discontinued string template preview that allowed variable interpolation directly in strings for clearer code.
- He notes it failed on a large Oracle project and was dropped, leaving him skeptical it will return soon.
Records Enable Data Oriented Programming
- Ian highlights records and switch expressions as key features enabling data-oriented programming by reducing boilerplate for data classes.
- Records auto-generate methods like toString and equals, making simple data classes concise and safer.
Choose Battle Tested Tools To Keep A Cookbook Practical
- Ian Darwin kept the Java Cookbook focused by including tools and APIs he and colleagues have used and that are proven over time, not chasing every new library.
- He trimmed edition size from a 900-page high watermark to a 600-page limit, moving removed recipes to his website.
