Java, "born" in 1995, is now just about 20 years old. As with anything 20 years old, thereis a good amount of history and variation between versions of Java. Over the years, the certification exams have changed to cover different topics. The names of the exams have evenchanged. This book covers the Java 8 Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) exam.Then Oracle made two strategic decisions with Java 7. They decided to stop updating the3CJA exam. They also decided to cover more on in the programmer space and split it intotwo exams. Now you first take the OCAJP (Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer),also known as Java Programmer I, or OCA. That's what this book is about. Then youze the OCPJP (Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer), also known as JavaProgrammer II, or OCR There's also an upgrade exam in case you took an older version ofthe SCJP or OCPJP and want to upgrade. Most people refer to the current exams as OCA!, OCP 8, and the Java 8 upgrade exam. We mention when a topic is split between theOCA and OCP so you know which parts are more advanced.