Slashdot Mirror
Java Enterprise In A Nutshell
The Long Version: When I sat down with this book my intention was to skim through each section, look to see if there was anything that they missed, and crank out the 'ol review. What I found was enough content in each of the technical sections to draw me into actually reading the whole section. I mean, who would take the time to read a full section on CORBA nowadays unless there were interesting things there (yes, I see all of you CORBA proponents shaking your fists out there -- don't you have some IDL to write?).
Once I completed the reference sections I cracked open the latter half of the book to take a peek at the API section. I found it well organized, aesthetically pleasing, and about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Note that this API publishing is not unique to O'Reilly -- It seems that most of the technical publishing companies still commit arboreal mass murder to publish these API sections. Note to publishers: When the half life of the information you are printing is measured in months, think about a different delivery mechanism. I actually timed how long it took to find a reference using JavaDoc API info and a book. IIRC the JavaDoc lookup was about 3 times faster.
Enough of that drivel. Back to the review. As you read through the different technical sections of this book the individual styles of the authors become apparent -- you can tell that different sections are written by different authors. This is A good thing -- you are getting the technical poop from the one that knows the subject best. To rely on a single author for this size of reference would leave a lot of gray area.
There is one specific area that I want to drill into, and that is the technical examples. I consider myself a relatively informed and skilled enterprise software architect (in the J2EE world -- don't get me started on that Dot Net crap). When I see a manual entitled Java Enterprise - I am expecting not only an API reference (see API rant above), but some real meat as to best practices in building enterprise level applications using this technology.
So how did this book do in the technical example area? I'd have to give it a "B." In most cases the examples were adequate to explain the technology at hand, but not really give deep insight into how best to take advantage of said technology. Now, don't get me wrong -- this book has earned a place on the "near" bookshelf (the place where I keep all of my most referenced manuals). My opinion is that when you are trying to serve to very different purposes (desktop reference / enterprise technology primer) something has to give.
Let me give a couple of examples of what I am talking about:
- In the JDBC section there is a point where the book identifies OODBMS (Object Oriented DBMS) databases as a possible alternative to the rigors of Object/Relational mapping. Yes, the technology exists and does work, but how many companies out there run enterprise systems off of OODBMSs? It's a small market, and with the massive investments that most US companies have in RDBs, that equation is not going to change soon. To say that OODBs are an alternative is a good thing in a quick reference, but in my opinion needs a disclaimer if mentioned in an enterprise Java book. Along those same lines, it wouldn't have hurt to mention some of the available O/R mapping tools out there (go Open Source!).
- In the Servlets section there is a point where an application implementation is mentioned to illustrate a technical point (binding a java.sql.Connection instance to a HTTP session). Right in the same paragraph the author mentions that this is a "bad idea" (no kidding -- unless you are an Oracle sales rep ...). Now why go to all of the effort of painting this example, and then telling the reader that they shouldn't ever do it? Guys, take the time to figure out a valid example that illustrates the part of the API that you are explaining, 'kay?
Again, don't get the wrong idea here. I'm definitely not panning this book. It's a valuable resource and worth the $30 - $40 that you are going to plunk down for it. But if you are going to write a desktop reference for Enterprise Java make sure that the examples are restaurant quality. After all, there is enough bad code out there in the world, and we can't have our beloved O'Reilly contributing to it, can we?
In Summary (Finally! he's almost done!):
As I mentioned before, this book has earned the right to be within arm's reach from my little work pod. Not only is it a comprehensive reference, it makes a handy workout aide as well (971 pages...). And do yourself a favor. If you haven't checked out the O'Reilly line of technical books, head down to the nearest bookstore, grab yourself a double latte (try the Irish Cream and Hazelnut mixed together), find a comfy chair and give the series a once-over. You'll be glad you did.
You can purchase Java Enterprise In A Nutshell from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
I think it would aid me in future troll posts if I could reproduce your cow. May I?
If not, what will a 50-post license package cost?
Man, I wouldn't want to smell the toaster after cooking one of those.
He just can't get goats off his mind
love this gay boys
. :Iy .efee kW k ee l `- I .l
,-.' t#t.Dl _ l - . ,h ,
_ h , y
|flgikhsfl lkj gec CLIT: AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
_ i kblh kshj dhs fhs ggjff
Wlkdnjnfj dhsjs skwbsvah s zy
klanal vietnam you fucking coxxy.
jkalnnfnlha xvzjvekahlh agsdfg kaay.
ll aa shl lkkjjhsl bring your skills.
aum shingnvduag or don't waste my Ny
l riknj _ gsgjoi fucking time
Iyov _ s' fuTK. * uf' D. hGy , U
_ k hk--sal . d Vha v'
I _
_ l, e' _,-- _ : j
e_ @)y
C _ l
_
C _D ` . ' l
_ -' _ _ D
_ l L.-,z
_ y _)t#t#V '
l , ( ty-'
i y i v
_ l _ i ` -' <==== TROLLKORE: AT THE HEAD OF THE GAME
; b
l _ i
_ I j _ A PUBIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM
i _ d _ _ SEXUAL ASSPUSSY AND THE CABAL
j i _ OF LOGGED IN TROLLS
l k
j _ k
%A% V l
%GH%Q sa03
There's another review at tubgirl tech archive
For whatever reason
I feel like I've been wanting you all my life
But you don't understand
I'm so glad we're at the same place at the same time
Its over now
I spotted you dancin'
You made all the CowboyNeal stare
Those lips and your brown eyes
And the sexy hair
I shake shake my thing
I make the world want you
Tell your Trolls you'll be back
I wanna see what you can do.
What would it take for you to just leave with me
Not trying to sound conceited but me and you were meant to be
You're a sexy guy, I'm a nice girl
Lets turn this dance floor into our own little nasty world
Trolls
Sometimes a girl just needs one
Trolls
To love her and to hold
Trolls
When a girl is with one
Trolls
Then she's in control
Pick a boy off the dance floor.
Screamin in his ear
Must of said somethin' bout me (what you said?)
Cuz he's loookin over here
You looking at me
With that sexy attitude
But the way you boy's movin in
It puts me in the mood
What would it take for you to just leave with me
Not trying to sound conceited but me and you were meant to be
You're a sexy guy, I'm a nice girl
Lets turn this dance floor into our own little nasty world
Trolls
Sometimes a girl just needs one
Trolls
To love her and to hold
Trolls
When a girl is with one
Trolls
Then she's in control