As a serious Java programmer, you express yourself any number of ways: by tuning the garbage collector for performance or predictability, developing new techniques to better manage concurrency, shrinking Java technology as far as possible to meet the needs of that new embedded device, and more. The Core Technology track topics range from the compelling capabilities presented by Java Card version 3, which puts a Web server on a credit card, to the awesome scale and ability of Java EE 6 technology with profiles, providing the backbone for today's Web 2.0 and SOA infrastructures. And, of course, we haven't left out the heart of Java technology -- Java Platform, Standard Edition -- which has just seen the arrival of the consumer-oriented Java SE 6 update 10 while on the road to Java SE 7 technology.

In this track you will find a broad spectrum of topics, such as:

• Java SE and Java technology for the desktop: Java SE 6 update 10 has recently revitalized Java technology on the desktop with faster startup and JRE installation times, a new Swing look and feel, and the ability to drag applets out of the browser. In addition, Java SE 7 technology is well under way and expected to bring enhancements in terms of modularity, broad and seamless language support, concurrency, garbage collection, performance, user interface, and graphics.
• Tools and languages: Java technology has many great tools for general development, but different domains sometimes require specific or customized tools, or new extensions to standard tools. This track also covers languages beyond Java technology, including JavaScript, Ruby, Python, and so on, which have created new models for development and new opportunities for integration with the Java VM.
• Cool stuff: In this topic you'll learn about innovative and emerging uses of Java technology in interesting new domains.