Concurrent Programming Overview

J2SE 5.0 has added the java.util.concurrent package that provides standardized concurrency utilities. While the classes provided do not provide new functionality that couldn't be accomplished in the past, they are convenience classes designed to make development easier by providing high-quality implementations for data synchronization mechanisms. This package does for concurrent programming what the collection framework has done to data structures -- essentially freeing the developer from re-inventing the wheel with possibly incorrect and inefficient implementations.

rating comment: The article gives a great overview of the java.util.concurrent package and briefly explains what's possible with the different features of the new framework.