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. Java and Spring

>> Redmonk Analyzes Java Framework Popularity [infoq.com]

Quick and very interesting data about the frameworks we use in the Java ecosystem.

>> Oracle Shares Their Strategy for Java EE with the JCP Executive Committee [infoq.com]

Some further (but minimal) insights into what’s going on with Java EE.

>> Interfacing with Messy Humans [javaspecialists.eu]

Humans are indeed messy and use antiquated systems which of course need to be mapped – sometimes successfully – to concepts in the core libraries of programming languages.

>> Adventures in SEO with Vaadin [frankel.ch]

Java and SEO aren’t two words you’d expect to see together – it’s both interesting and encouraging that some frameworks are actually doing good work in this area.

>> How to store timestamps in UTC using the new hibernate.jdbc.time_zone configuration property [relation.to]

A cool new solution to an old problem.

>> Hibernate Best Practices [thoughts-on-java.org]

A monster of a post that’s certainly going to be a good reference when doing Hibernate work – and a great step towards a correct and idiomatic use of the platform.

>> The Fall of Eclipse [movingfulcrum.com]

Sad, but definitely true – Eclipse has lost, and deservedly so. I’m still a user, but I’m planning to jump ship as well.

Also worth reading:

Webinars and presentations:

Time to upgrade:

2. Technical

>> Basics of Web Application Security: Protect User Sessions [martinfowler.com]

Another top-notch installment in the running series on web application security – this one focused on the core aspect of sessions.

Also worth reading:

3. Musings

>> The Ergonomics of Type Checking [silvrback.com]

A quick bit of writing that cuts to the core of using a type checked language (or not). Definitely read this one.

>> How to Get Developers to Adopt a Coding Standard [daedtech.com]

The first time I tried to bring a coding standard into my project – it was an absolute disaster. You can learn these lessons the hard way, or you can do some reading and sidestep most of that if you’re in so inclined.

>> The Biggest Mistake Static Analysis Prevents [daedtech.com]

Static analysis is always easier to understand with horror stories.

If you lived through those stories yourself, it’s understandably not as fun, so being able to glean insights out of the stories of other developers can shave years off from the natural learning process.

>> Starting high school in 2016 [lemire.me]

The idea that schools are stuck in the last century is probably not new to anyone, but it’s nevertheless quite unfortunate and also interesting to read about from first-hand experience.

Also worth reading:

4. Comics

And my favorite Dilberts of the week:

>> I guess now I’m doing your job too? [dilbert.com]

>> I’ve added my name to your patent application [dilbert.com]

>> Maybe next time we should introduce ourselves [dilbert.com]

5. Pick of the Week

>> The power of positive intent [m.signalvnoise.com]