Java Web Weekly, Issue 111
Last updated: February 10, 2022
Mocking is an essential part of unit testing, and the Mockito library makes it easy to write clean and intuitive unit tests for your Java code.
Get started with mocking and improve your application tests using our Mockito guide:
Handling concurrency in an application can be a tricky process with many potential pitfalls. A solid grasp of the fundamentals will go a long way to help minimize these issues.
Get started with understanding multi-threaded applications with our Java Concurrency guide:
Spring 5 added support for reactive programming with the Spring WebFlux module, which has been improved upon ever since. Get started with the Reactor project basics and reactive programming in Spring Boot:
Since its introduction in Java 8, the Stream API has become a staple of Java development. The basic operations like iterating, filtering, mapping sequences of elements are deceptively simple to use.
But these can also be overused and fall into some common pitfalls.
To get a better understanding on how Streams work and how to combine them with other language features, check out our guide to Java Streams:
Explore Spring Boot 3 and Spring 6 in-depth through building a full REST API with the framework:
Yes, Spring Security can be complex, from the more advanced functionality within the Core to the deep OAuth support in the framework.
I built the security material as two full courses - Core and OAuth, to get practical with these more complex scenarios. We explore when and how to use each feature and code through it on the backing project.
You can explore the course here:
Spring Data JPA is a great way to handle the complexity of JPA with the powerful simplicity of Spring Boot.
Get started with Spring Data JPA through the guided reference course:
Refactor Java code safely — and automatically — with OpenRewrite.
Refactoring big codebases by hand is slow, risky, and easy to put off. That’s where OpenRewrite comes in. The open-source framework for large-scale, automated code transformations helps teams modernize safely and consistently.
Each month, the creators and maintainers of OpenRewrite at Moderne run live, hands-on training sessions — one for newcomers and one for experienced users. You’ll see how recipes work, how to apply them across projects, and how to modernize code with confidence.
Join the next session, bring your questions, and learn how to automate the kind of work that usually eats your sprint time.
At the very beginning of last year, I decided to track my reading habits and share the best stuff here, on Baeldung. Haven’t missed a review since.
Here we go…
1. Spring and Java
>> Reactive Spring [spring.io]
A quick announcement of the plans towards the reactive programming in Spring 5.
>> How to enable bytecode enhancement dirty checking in Hibernate [vladmihalcea.com]
An interesting Hibernate 5 feature – using bytecode enhancement to do dirty checking. Quick and to the point.
>> Dear API Designer. Are You Sure, You Want to Return a Primitive? [jooq.org]
Good API design is hard – that much should be clear by now.
But we’re all working towards getting better at it, and this writeup definitely makes some good points towards that.
>> Designing your own Spring Boot starter – part 1 [frankel.ch]
The first steps in putting together a Spring Boot style auto configuration – leveraging the wide array of flexible annotations in Boot.
This is no longer a new concept, but it’s still super powerful, especially if you chose to go beyond what the framework provides out of the box.
>> Preventing Session Hijacking With Spring [broadleafcommerce.com]
Solid read on protecting your system against session fixation attacks with Spring Security.
>> Java for small teams [ncrcoe.gitbooks.io]
This looks like a very useful collection of tactics and general practical advice for your first few years of doing Java work.
I haven’t read the whole thing, but the bits that I did read, I fully agreed with.
>> IntelliJ IDEA Pro Tips [medium.com]
A good array of more advanced tips to using IntelliJ well.
Getting the most out of your IDE can really make a day to day difference in your coding flow. I personally learned the most out of pairing sessions and watching my pair do stuff better than I did.
So this is definitely recommended reading if you’re an IntelliJ user (I’m not).
>> Announcing Extras for Eclipse [codeaffine.com]
And on that note – here’s some Eclipse goodness as well.
Also worth reading:
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>> Orchestrating Work with Activiti and Spring Integration [spring.io]
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>> Spring Batch Tutorial: Getting the Required Dependencies With Gradle [petrikainulainen.net]
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>> Marble Diagrams – Rxjava operators [java-allandsundry.com]
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>> Improved Documentation of HotSpot Options in Java 8 [marxsoftware.com]
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>> Simplicity and Value of HotSpot’s -XshowSettings Flag [marxsoftware.com]
Webinars and presentations:
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>> Gil Tene on Understanding Latency [infoq.com]
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>> HTTP/2 for the Web developer [spring.io]
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>> Spring Data REST – Data Meets Hypermedia + Security [spring.io]
Time to upgrade:
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>> Spring Data Couchbase 2.0 [spring.io]
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>> ORM 5.1 feature release [in.relation.to]
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>> Spring Session 1.1.0 RC1 Released [spring.io]
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>> Spring Cloud Stream 1.0.0.M4 is now available [spring.io]
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>> Weld 3.0.0.Alpha15 [weld.cdi-spec.org]
2. Technical
>> Data breaches, vBulletin and weak password hashing [troyhunt.com]
Read up on this if you’re doing any kind of security online. Good stuff.
>> Elasticsearch Cluster in a Jiffy [codecentric.de]
To the point options to bootstrap an Elasticsearch cluster. I’ll definitely give this a try soon, as I’m doing a lot of Elasticsearch work lately.
>> Jepsen: RethinkDB 2.2.3 reconfiguration [aphyr.com]
As always, if you’re interesting in the inner-workings of how persistence works, have a read.
This one is about RethinkDB – which I’ve personally never used, which didn’t make this piece any less interesting.
Also worth reading:
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>> A Tiny Cohesion Risk [thecodewhisperer.com]
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>> Who is testing your unit tests? [kgolev.com]
3. Musings
>> Costs And Benefits Of Comments [codefx.org]
Another interesting installment in the “comments” series.
This one is on my weekend reading list, but I wanted to include it here because I really enjoyed the past writeups.
>> Working with feature-toggled systems [martinfowler.com]
>> Final part of Feature Toggles [martinfowler.com]
The final two parts in what is now a complete reference article on using feature toggles in a system.
>> Mistakes Dev Managers Make [daedtech.com]
I fully agree that doing a good job as a manager comes down to trust. The trust the manager has in the team, and of course the way to team trust (or doesn’t trust) the manager.
>> Taobao’s Security Breach from a Log Perspective [loggly.com]
Yet another security breach story, and of course something that could have been avoided with just a few straightforward safeguards in place.
Looks like I timed the announcement of my next course – Learn Spring Security – at the perfect time 🙂
>> The 5 Golden Rules of Giving Awesome Customer Support [jooq.org]
Good advice all around.
Also worth reading:
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>> Hidden Costs in Your Software [daedtech.com]
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>> Beyond the PC toward virtual and augmented reality [lemire.me]
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>> We have adopted a Contributor Code of Conduct! [spring.io]
4. Comics
And my favorite Dilberts of the week:
>> You read those same policies last week [dilbert.com]
>> Did you know it was hideous before I told you? [dilbert.com]
>> I don’t do that [dilbert.com]
5. Pick of the Week
After a couple of months of winding down after the intensity of writing and recording the Master Class of my last course, I’m finally well rested and ready to announce my next big project:
>> Learn Spring Security
