Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 736 pages
• Published by: Prentice Hall PTR
• Edition: 2nd Edition September 5, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0130092290
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0130092298
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 1.7 inches
• Weighs: 3 pounds

Product Review
In the Java universe, the interface layer of the ubiquitous model-view-controller (MVC) software design paradigm is handled by either servlets of JavaServer Pages (JSP). The second edition of Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, like its predecessor, documents these handy technologies fully and practically. Far more than a straight API reference, this book presents examples--complete with code and a listing or screen shot showing results--wherever possible. It's a fantastic strategy for communicating to programmers what they need to do in order to achieve the effects and behaviors they desire. What's new in the second edition? Lots, in terms of its eponymous software development environments: The book covers servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0. The examples are more refined, too, and more attention is paid to supporting technologies like Web and database servers.

The didactic approach of authors Marty Hall and Larry Brown is recipe-like. They typically begin with a statement of a problem to be solved, then discuss relevant aspects of the servlet or JSP API. A series of code listings follows, and screen shots showing results bring up the rear. The net effect is that it's easy to spot relevant sections in the table of contents, it's clear how implementation works (thanks to the extensive listings) and there's no doubt about what the results are supposed to be. More elaborate examples show how servlets and JSP work in shopping cart, auction, and other applications. This is a significant and worthwhile update to an important Java book. --David Wall

Topics covered: Java servlets 2.4, JavaServer Pages (JSP) 2.0 (including the new expression language), HTML forms, JDBC database connectivity, and the details of how servlets and JSP are implemented in Apache Tomcat, Caucho Resin, and Macromedia JRun.

Back Cover Copy


The J2EE(TM) Platform has become the technology of choice for developing professional e-commerce applications, interactive Web sites, and Web-enabled applications and services. Servlet and JSP(TM) technology is the foundation of this platform: it provides the link between Web clients and server-side applications. In this 2nd edition of the worldwide bestseller, the authors show you how to apply the latest servlet and JSP capabilities. Unlike other books that treat servlet or JSP technology in isolation, Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages provides a unified treatment, showing you when servlet technology is best, when the JSP approach is preferred, and when (and how) servlets and JSP should work together.

Part I provides exhaustive coverage of the servlet 2.4 specification. It starts with server configuration, basic syntax, the servlet life cycle, and use of form data. It moves on to applying HTTP 1.1, cookies, and session tracking. Advanced topics include compressing Web content, incrementally updating results, dynamically generating images, and creating shopping carts.

Part II gives an in-depth guide to JSP 2.0. It covers both the "classic" JSP scripting elements and the new JSP 2.0 expression language. It shows how to control the content type, designate error pages, include files, and integrate JavaBeans components. Advanced topics include sharing beans, generating Excel spreadsheets, and dealing with concurrency.

Part III covers two key supporting technologies: HTML forms and database access with JDBC(TM). It explains every standard HTML input element and shows how to use appropriate JDBC drivers, perform database queries, process results, and perform updates. Advanced topics include parameterized queries, stored procedures, and transaction control.

Design strategies include ways to integrate servlet and JSP technology, best practices for invoking Java code from JSP pages, plans for dealing with missing and malformed data, and application of the MVC architecture.

Handy guides walk you through use of three popular servlet and JSP engines (Apache Tomcat, Macromedia JRun, and Caucho Resin) and some of the most widely used database systems (MySQL, Oracle9i, Microsoft Access).

Volume 2 of this book covers advanced topics: filters, custom tag libraries, database connection pooling, Web application security, the JSP Standard Tag Library (JSTL), Apache Struts, JavaServer Faces (JSF), JAXB, and more.

• The same clear step-by-step explanations that made the first edition so popular
• Completely updated for the latest standards: servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0
• Hundreds of completely portable, fully documented,industrial-strength examples

Detailed treatment of Apache Tomcat, Macromedia JRun, and Caucho Resin Online access to all source code, available free for unrestricted use at the author's www.coreservlets.com web site.

Reader Reviews
There is some very good information in this book. The section on building web apps using a Model-View-Controller aproach is excellent and answered just about all my questions about how to put the JSP system to actual use. However, the author never identifies who his reader is, switching back and forth between novice and advanced when he sees fit. For example, he begins the book with several pages talking about why dynamic web pages are better then static, and even has an entire chapter on HTML at the back. So, this book is for novices, right? Well, no. The author only gives about a page to multi-threading issues (very common and significant in a persistant/multi-threaded application server) under the assumption that the reader already knows everything there is to know about it. I think the author just didn't know all there was to know about it. So, the end result is a massive book with very little content for the only person who can really read it, an existing programmer just looking to put another system under his/her belt. Actually, he's pushed all the really interesting/complex concepts (custom tags, STRUTS, etc) into a non-existant second volume. He could have easilly included everything in one volume, but I suppose two will bring in more money. I'm not going to buy the second volume, if it every appears. I'm going to find ONE book that includes everything.