This is the last semester that we will assume merely a minimal understanding of the Java language, so don't fret that your less-than-expert knowledge of Java will preclude your passing the course, much less excelling in it. We will provide detailed explanations of the Java concepts and constructs to be used throughout the semester, and you should be extremely comfortable in Java by semester's end. The syntax of Java is very similar to C++, but there are a few important distinctions to be aware of before jumping into data structure development with both feet.