Murach's Java SE 6: Training & Reference Review

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Murach's Java SE 6: Training & Reference ReviewThere have been a number of books and tutorials written about Java. The gold standard for me has always been "Learning Java" by Patrick Niemeyer and Johnathan Knudsen (O'Reilly & Associates). I have had a number of new programmers, enthusiasts, and members of the JUG tell me it is information overload. The book does contain a lot of information in its 828 page heft. As a result, I have been looking for a book just for beginners. I have found it.
I just completed reviewing Murach's Java SE 6. It is a very good resource for learning Java. This book does an excellent job of providing a firm basis for understanding the technology. The book is clearly and concisely written. The book is divided into 5 major sections which cover the essential Java skills to advanced topics on data access programming using XML and JDBC.
The teaching style is very clever. It typically takes the form of a page of information with facing page with examples. I found this to be very important in getting sometimes difficult points across. I typically take the "Show me the code" philosophy, and this style works for me.
The other technique that used is to convey a purpose for learning Java. This is done by using the various topics as building blocks to create an application. The final result is a completed application at the end of the book. It encompasses the lessons learned, and gives the new programmer a sense of accomplishment with a completed functional application at the end of the book. I love it.
I have found that people learn better with functional code examples. This book is replete with them. One of my greatest annoyances is to have code samples which do not work. This clouds the ability to learn because it forces the beginning programmer to question their abilities. The shroud of uncertainty should not be because the gold standard code is incorrect. I am pleased to note that I tried a number of code examples and they all worked.
My favorite section is Data access programming with Java. Chapter 20 covers working with XML. This is a must for any programmer. XML is the new black, and anything that can help you learn this important technology is a must. In chapter 20, the topic of StAX is covered. This is the best simplified example of using StAX I have seen. After reading the information, and performing the examples, I felt I had a better understanding of this technology.
I only have a few minor negative points to mention: the title is a little misleading. The majority of the information in the book really details Java SE 5 enhancements with two notable exceptions: StAX and an introduction to Derby (Java DB).
My overall impression is that the book is an outstanding resource for new and seasoned programmers. This is a great book to add to the reference shelf.Murach's Java SE 6: Training & Reference OverviewThis book teaches how to develop Java applications at the professional level. It starts by showing how to code, test, and debug everyday business applications that won t crash. It presents object-oriented features like classes, inheritance, interfaces, and polymorphism in a way that s both understandable and useful in the real world...perspective that s often missing in Java training. It presents essential Java skills such as working with data types, control statements, arrays, collections, generics, enumerations, exceptions, threads, Swing components, applets, and text and binary files. It covers new Java SE 6 features such as new JDBC features, the StAX XML API, and the built-in Derby database. And it s all done in the distinctive Murach style that has been training professional programmers for more than 30 years.

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Struts 2 Design and Programming: A Tutorial (A Tutorial series) Review

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Struts 2 Design and Programming: A Tutorial (A Tutorial series) ReviewI'm convinced this is and will remain the authoritative book on Struts 2. I know that more are being written but I don't care. You will not find one better.
I've never worked with Struts 2 in the past yet I was able to get a pretty solid understanding of it in a very short amount of time. Granted, I've had plenty of experience with the original Struts, JSF, and other web technologies, but I think even a beginner could pick this up fairly easily.
I let a friend of mine who had used Struts 2 on a project before skim through my copy of Struts 2 Design and Programming to check for any gaping holes or errant information before writing this review. It passed his inspection. (Thanks, Eric!)
I initially was a little skeptical when I saw that this Struts 2 book includes many other topics like DAOs, Velocity, FreeMarker, Dojo, and JFreeChart. These sections actually turned out quite pleasant to read and were great introductions to those topics without taking anything away from the main topic: Struts 2.
When you start making your way into chapters 5 and 6, feel free to jump around to other chapters. Chapters 5 and 6 cover the many tags in Struts 2 and, even with the author's great explanations and examples, can become a little tiresome for a cover-to-cover kind of read (but makes for a terrific reference). I suggest coming back to these chapters every once in a while to chew off two or three of the tags at a time. I expect this tip will add to your reading enjoyment.
Overall, this is a terrific book and I highly recommend it to anyone working with or curious about Struts 2.Struts 2 Design and Programming: A Tutorial (A Tutorial series) OverviewOffering both theoretical explanations and real-world applications, this in-depth guide covers the 2.0 version of Struts, revealing how to design, build, and improve Java-based Web applications within the Struts development framework. Feature functionality is explained in detail to help programmers choose the most appropriate feature to accomplish their objectives, while other chapters are devoted to file uploading, paging, and object caching.

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Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam Review

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Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam ReviewThis book was used as the sole text in a class on Java EE servlets and scripting. The subtitle, "Passing the Sun Certified Web Componet Developer Exam" should have been the main title, since it deals mostly with the memorization of terms and mock quizzes for the purpose of passing the Sun Exam.
As a textbook it is inadequate. The book purports to be using the latest in "cognitive science and learning theory," but in my opinion it is simply juvenile humor applied to mask its lack of substance and poor organization. Information is haphazardly presented and continually interrupted with dumb gags that distract from the material. The technical details of servlets and JSPs are dealt with in only a superficial manner. Actual code fragments used to illustrate concepts are few and lack meaningful context. Fully half of its 879 pages are wasted on silly cartoon-like quips. If you aren't absolutely required to use this book, save your money and get something that treats the topic seriously.Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam Overview
Looking to study up for the new J2EE 1.5 Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) exam? This book will get you way up to speed on the technology you'll know it so well, in fact, that you can pass the brand new J2EE 1.5 exam. If that's what you want to do, that is. Maybe you don't care about the exam, but need to use servlets and JSPs in your next project. You're working on a deadline. You're over the legal limit for caffeine. You can't waste your time with a book that makes sense only AFTER you're an expert (or worse, one that puts you to sleep). Learn how to write servlets and JSPs, what makes a web container tick (and what ticks it off), how to use JSP's Expression Language (EL for short), and how to write deployment descriptors for your web applications. Master the c:out tag, and get a handle on exactly what's changed since the older J2EE 1.4 exam. You don't just pass the new J2EE 1.5 SCWCD exam, you'll understand this stuff and put it to work immediately.Head First Servlets and JSP doesn't just give you a bunch of facts to memorize; it drives knowledge straight into your brain. You'll interact with servlets and JSPs in ways that help you learn quickly and deeply. And when you're through with the book, you can take a brand-new mock exam, created specifically to simulate the real test-taking experience.


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Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam (SCWCD) Review

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Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam (SCWCD) ReviewLooking for either an enjoyable intro into JSP and Servlets or material on passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer exam? Grab a copy of Head First Servlets & JSP by Bryan Basham, Kathy Sierra, and Bert Bates. It rocks...
Chapter list: Intro; Why use Servlets & JSPs; Web app architecture; Mini MVC tutorial; Being a servlet; Being a web app; Conversational state; Being a JSP; Script-free pages; Custom tags are powerful; When JSTL is not enough; Deploying your web app; Keep it secret, keep it safe; The power of filters; Enterprise design patterns; Final mock exam; Index
I've stated my preference in the past to learning subjects with a bit of humor thrown in. OK... a *lot* of humor. If I have a chance to pick up a new tech skill with a study guide that makes me laugh and stay interested, I'm in heaven. Is it any wonder then that I absolutely love the Head First series? Bates and Sierra have created a concept that is unlike anything else on the market. Through the use of cartoons, hand-drawn examples, off-beat questions, and other various types of learning material, they engage your brain on a number of levels. And as a result, you're sucked in and learning stuff in spite of yourself.
In this installment, they tackle the subject of servlets and JSPs. Rather than try and explain things "technically", they have a common cast of characters throughout the book making observations and points about the material. Using the hand-drawn notes around illustrations and code, you quickly understand the underlying concepts of what happens with servlet requests and responses, and how JSPs interact with the web server. And given that there are exercises and questions at the end of each chapter (along with the answers), you have a chance to reinforce your learning immediately.
There are two uses for this book. The primary goal is to help you pass the Sun Certified Web Component Developer exam. If you already know about servlets and JSPs, get the book for the mock exam and the questions at the end of each chapter. The authors helped write the actual Sun test, so you'll get a good feel for the types of questions you'll face. The other use of this book would be to learn and understand the subject matter, like a tutorial. Once again, an excellent choice for that purpose. You'll still need to get some sort of "official" reference book of some sort if you get deeper into the material, but this is a perfect way to get started.
Once again, another winner from the warped minds that created the Head First concept. May they continue to thrive for a long time!Head First Servlets and JSP: Passing the Sun Certified Web Component Developer Exam (SCWCD) Overview
Imagine a world without eBay...unthinkable! How would you get that Farrah Fawcett poster, retired Beanie Baby, or first-edition pet rock? Handling over a gazillion (OK, we exaggerate--it's actually only 1 billion) page views each day, server-side Java makes eBay work. Isn't it time you learned the latest (J2EE 1.4) versions of Servlets & JSPs? This book will get you way up to speed on the technology you'll know it so well, in fact, that you can pass the Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) 1.4 exam.If that's what you want to do, that is. Maybe you don't care about the exam, but need to use Servlets & JSPs in your next project. You're working on a deadline. You're over the legal limit for caffeine. You can't waste your time with a book that makes sense only AFTER you're an expert (or worse one that puts you to sleep). No problem. Head First Servlets and JSP's brain-friendly approach drives the knowledge straight into your head (without sharp instruments). You'll interact with servlets and JSPs in ways that help you learn quickly and deeply. It may not be The Da Vinci Code, but quickly see why so many reviewers call it "a page turner". Most importantly, this book will help you use what you learn. It won't get you through the exam only to have you forget everything the next day. Learn to write servlets and JSPs, what makes the Container tick (and what ticks it off), how to use the new JSP Expression Language (EL), what you should NOT write in a JSP, how to write deployment descriptors, secure applications, and even use some server-side design patterns. Can't talk about Struts at a cocktail party? That'll change. You won't just pass the exam, you will truly understand this stuff, and you'll be able to put it to work right away. This new exam is tough--much tougher than the previous version of the SCWCD. The authors of Head First Servlets and JSP know: they created it. (Not that it EVER occurred to them that if they made the exam really hard you'd have to buy a study guide to pass it.) The least they could do is give you a stimulating, fun way to pass the thing. If you're one of the thousands who used Head First EJB to pass the SCWCD exam, you know what to expect!


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Core JSTL: Mastering the JSP Standard Tag Library Review

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Core JSTL: Mastering the JSP Standard Tag Library ReviewI like Geary and have his Swing book ( which is in my opinion the definitive tome on the subject ). He's a good author. This new outing covers the tags quite well and with some good practical insights. There are a few things that I just would have done differently had I been the writer, but I liked the formatting and I18N chapters, perhaps the best ones out of the lot.
However, there is not even a mention of the JSP 1.2 XML syntax or how to use JSTL with it, which is [imho] a pretty glaring oversight. In the sample code none of the beans implement 'Serializable' which according to the javaDocs, is a bean requirement. The DTD the samples point to is erroneous. You have to type the samples in because the site from where you are supposed to be able to download them doesn't exist.
For someone who was so meticulous in his previous books, I find this one written by a different Geary. Maybe this is the case. But it did get me on top of the JSTL pretty quickly and that gets 3 stars. There is not much else out there on this subject at the moment.Core JSTL: Mastering the JSP Standard Tag Library OverviewIn Core JSTL, leading Java platform expert David Geary presents the definitive guide to JSTL. Through practical examples and extensive sample code, Geary demonstrates how JSTL simplifies, streamlines, and standardizes a wide range of common Web development tasks. Coverage includes using JSTL tags for accessing JavaBeans components and collections, iteration, importing URLs, database access, working with XML, internationalization and localization; using the brand new JSTL expression language; and extending JSTL with custom tags.

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Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) Review

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Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) ReviewOthers have provided excellent reviews so I will just comment on a few items:
1) The book does a good job at covering the basics of using servlets and JSP for a web application.
2) Conversely, the book is stuck in the basics and instead of discussing more interesting topics it references the unpublished Volume 2. Very annoying.
3) This is a book for beginners. If you have any web programming experience this may be too simple and with a very slow pace. Many more concepts could have been included without compromising the book.Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) OverviewMarty Hall's Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages was the number 1 servlet/JSP book in 2000 -- helping over 100,000 Java developers master the power of Java server-side programming to Web-enable an extraordinary range of applications. Now, Hall takes the next step, bringing together even more powerful servlet/JSP techniques. The second edition of Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages provides a complete introduction to the technology, completely updated for JSP 2.0, servlets 2.4, the JSP Standard Tag Library (JSTL), and Java 1.4. This book serves both beginning and advanced developers. For beginning servlet and JSP developers, the book provides clear step-by-step coverage of the basic topics. For programmers already experienced with servlet and JSP technology, the book provides in-depth discussion of advanced topics, complete coverage of newly introduced capabilities, and practical design strategies. J2EE technology is the leading technology for building Web applications and services, and servlet and JSP technology is the heart of the J2EE platform. Servlets and JSP are the most popular way to build Web applications: every Java and Web developer needs to know this. JSP 2.0 will fundamentally change how servlet and JSP technology is used, so even experienced developers need to read this book!

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