Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components [Paperback]

Will Iverson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0131478303 | ISBN-13: 978-0131478305

The Apache Jakarta Commons project is a collection of freely-reusable, opensource Java components. Commons components are used in a wide variety ofprojects, including Apache Tomcat, Hibernate, and many other commercialand open source projects.This book is a Java developer's guide to the Apache Jakarta Commons project.It covers in detail the twelve most important Commons packages, with sampleprogram code provided for each. Included are a number of remarkably usefulideas for working the various Commons packages, such as using HttpClient toaccess web resources, File Upload for handling HTTP file upload, BeanUtilsfor easy form generation, implementations of various protocols such as FTPand NNTP, and building a command line tool to search for the location ofclasses on the class path.Also included are detailed instructions for combining the Commons projectlibraries with the popular Eclipse IDE. Plus, the book includes a handy 75-page Jakarta Commons quick reference Appendix.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

• Easy-to-follow coverage of twelve indispensable Jakarta Commons packages

• Code examples that show innovative uses of Commons components, including using HttpClient to access Web resources, FileUpload for handling HTTP file uploads, and BeanUtils for easy form generation

• Detailed instructions for combining the Commons project libraries with the popular Eclipse IDE

Save time and money with reusable open source Java™ components

Master the Jakarta Commons Library of Open Source JavaTM Components

Using the Apache Jakarta Commons reusable Java™ components, you can leverage the work of the global open-source community to solve common programming problems reliably, quickly, and inexpensively. But, to use the Commons libraries effectively, you need far more guidance than the official documentation offers. In Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java™ Components, Will Iverson covers what Java developers need to know to take full advantage of Jakarta Commons—starting right now.

Iverson begins with a definitive overview of the Commons project: goals, installation, and getting started with Commons components. Next, he presents example-rich chapters on the twelve most useful Commons packages, covering topics ranging from HTTP FileUpload to database connectivity. Iverson provides detailed code samples for every component he describes. After you've mastered the core Jakarta Commons packages, you'll constantly rely on this book's handy seventy-five page quick-reference. Iverson's coverage includes

• Downloading Commons project libraries and installing them into Eclipse

• Programmatically accessing resources via HTTP, FTP, NNTP, and other Internet protocols

• Using the Jakarta Commons suite of configurable object pools

• Managing database connectivity in Swing applications—and anywhere containers aren't doing it for you

• Using BeanUtils to generate forms and gain runtime access to information provided by JavaBeans-style objects

• Traversing complex object graphs with JXPath

• Using Jakarta Commons' advanced collections tools to establish richer object relationships

• Extending java.lang with better methods for manipulating core classes

• Implementing conversion routines, configurable logging, command-line help, and more

• Exploring the newest packages, including emerging "sandbox" packages

Whether you're building code for front-end Web applications, client-side software, or back-end servers, learning Jakarta Commons will make you far more efficient. Apache Jakarta Commons is the fastest way to master and get results with Commons.

About the Web Site

All of the book's sample Java programs are available for download from: http://www.cascadetg.com/commons/.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

About the Author

About the Author

Will Iverson has been working in the computer and information technology field professionally since 1990. His diverse background includes developing statistical applications to analyze data from the NASA Space Shuttle, product management for Apple Computer, and developer relations for Symantec's VisualCafé. For nearly five years, Will ran an independent J2EE consulting company with a variety of clients including Sun, BEA, and Canal+ Technologies. He currently serves as the application development practice manager for SolutionsIQ. Will lives in Seattle, Washington.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (February 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131478303
• ISBN-13: 978-0131478305
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Software Design, Testing & Engineering > Software Reuse

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars description with api, April 9, 2005

By 

Jeanne Boyarsky (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components (Paperback)

"Apache Jakarta Commons" shows the reader the power of the Commons libraries. It provides a very brief overview of the available components and goes into detail on 12 of them. APIs are explained through both class diagrams and description. The author provides best practices, warnings and project ideas. The book gets started right away, on page three.

The code examples are clear and well commented. The consistent coding standard throughout the book helps with readability. The author highlights differences between the sample code and "real apps."

The book is meant for experienced Java programmers. The author assumes readers have knowledge of JSPs, Servlets, Swing and UML. Most importantly, he assumes readers are comfortable with learning by reading through code. Readers are not assumed to have knowledge of the specialized topics such as XPath or encryption.

Note that this 325-page book is really a 201-page book. Appendix A is the entire API of the Commons lang project - word for word. I found the printed API to be difficult to read since the methods tend to run into each other. Since the other Commons projects have APIs online only, readers have to be comfortable using the online JavaDoc anyway.

This is the type of book that readers will find either valuable or minimally useful. For those who like bound versions, this book gets you started quickly. For those who like online documentation, the UML diagrams are the primary benefit given the online JavaDoc and code samples.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars worth checking out the new classes, March 16, 2005

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components (Paperback)

Amazing, the amount of high quality and free software you can get. The latest example is how the open source movement has put together a set of advanced Java classes, that go beyond what the default J2SE SDK gives you. Iverson breaks the Commons offerings into various groupings and explains simple usages of these.

Some classes are of quite general utility. As in the Collections, that expand on the Java 2 Collections Framework. The latter is often indispensible for a lot of programming needs. If that describes your situation, the Commons Collections may be worth looking at. The Logging classes should also prove generally useful.

Most Commons classes, however, may be more specialised. Those dealing with database connection pooling, for instance. Which is not to say that these and others like them are not useful. Far from it. Just that the needs are specialised. Still, it is probably also worth your while to scan these Commons classes, on the chance that serendipity strikes.

Overall, the Commons project is encouraging. More buildout is needed, though.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars skip this one it only scratches the surface., September 16, 2006

By 

java coder (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components (Paperback)

I recently started working on several projects that require the Apache Commons libraries. After looking at several books I chose this one. This is a choice I regret.

This book has been at my work desk now for a several months, and several times needed to look something up in it - doing a multi-part HTTP POST to send large files, for example. In every case, it was useless. Sometimes it didn't even have the needed classes in the appendix. This book has only the most introductory material that you could learn from a website in an hour. Except for the most basic questions, or for the complete novices this book is useless. I'd throw it away if I hadn't spent so much money on it.

I gave it two stars, only because someone (a novice) might find it helpful, and it does have complete examples. More advanced programmers should skip this one.