Apache Jakarta-Tomcat [Paperback]

James Goodwill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1893115364 | ISBN-13: 978-1893115361 | Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

Apache Jakarta-Tomcat, the official reference implementation for the Java servlet and JavaServer Pages technologies, has long been heralded as an excellent platform for the development and deployment of powerful Web applications. Version 4.0 offers not only numerous enhancements in flexibility and stability, but also an array of features that expand upon the Tomcat developer's already wealthy toolset.

In this namesake title, best-selling author James Goodwill provides readers with a thorough introduction to Jakarta-Tomcat, offering instruction on topics ranging from the basic installation and configuration process and Web application deployment to advanced concepts of integration with other popular Apache Foundation projects such as the Apache Web server, Struts, Log4J, and the Apache XML SOAP Project.

In addition to an already comprehensive introduction to core Tomcat functionality, readers also benefit from a valuable primer of what is offered in version 4.0, as Goodwill takes care to thoroughly discuss new features such as valves, security realms, persistent sessions, and the Tomcat Manager Application. In summary, Apache Jakarta-Tomcat offers both novice and advanced Jakarta-Tomcat users a practical and comprehensive guide to this powerful software.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thanks James Goodwill... this is the book that Tomcat has needed for too long." -- Javaranch.com

About the Author

James Goodwill is the co-founder and chief architect at Virtuas Solutions, LLC, located in Denver, Colorado. He has extensive experience in designing and architecting e-business applications. James authored the bestselling Java titles Developing Java Servlets and Pure JavaServer Pages. James is also a regular columnist on the Java community website OnJava.com and has recently been elected to JSR 152, the JSP 2.0 Expert Group.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893115364
• ISBN-13: 978-1893115361
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,872,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Compiler Design

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good but probably not everything you think it is, December 6, 2001

By 

"jeffreyf3535" (Durango, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Jakarta-Tomcat (Paperback)

This is a very good book from a web developer and deployer view. It covers servlet and JSP basics and the specifics of deploying web apps on Tomcat. Important web.xml, custom tag library info, and security realm information is covered. The only real Tomcat server configuration discussion is in a chapter on the server.xml file and a chapter on integrating with the Apache server. I was disappointed in the lack of configuration info (especially SSL info, of which there was none) but I have several jsp and servlet books and this book does a better job of describing servlet and JSP deployment basics than any of them. If you are a sysadmin but not a web developer or app deployer, you will be disappointed by this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A disorganized preface to the open source doc., October 26, 2002

By 

John Broglio (Florence, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apache Jakarta-Tomcat (Paperback)

This book is poorly organized and missing essential information. You would be better off with the open source doc, and much better off with another book. I downloaded the book files and got the first set of classes running . Then I made the tiny changes suggested in Chapter 2 and went to my first servlet compile. PROBLEM 1: what and where is the jar necessary to compile? Couldn't find the info in the book, so I did a text search from the Tomcat root on the superclass the compiler was looking for. Aha, .../common/lib/servlet.jar. Then I made the suggested textual change to the JSP file. PROBLEM 2: I made a hard-to-see typo on that one, and learned what a JSP exception looked like. The book didn't cover that eventuality, so back to the web. Searching news groups told me that this was the most common JSP exception, and my installation might be faulty. So I dove into the exception printout, which is pretty opaque, and figured out my mistake. PROBLEM 3: the book says you can use a compressed war file if you "add a new Context entry in ... referencing the apress Web application." This is not a trivial task and the book gives no other help. After a few hours (!) of online searching and experimenting, I discovered this: 1. No one explains what should go in the "Config URL" slot in the "live" Manager install page in Tomcat 4. 2. If you go the <Context> route in server.xml, the error log in .../logs will probably have all the info you need about what went wrong. Book doesn't say a word about checking this if you run into trouble, but it is the FIRST place to look (OK, I was working tired). Tomcat is actually easier to use than this book.
I skimmed the rest of the book after this, then put it down forever. I went out and bought Marty Hall's "More Servlets and JavaServer Pages", and I think you should too.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars what the..., November 28, 2001

By 

Richard Nelson (Burlington, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Jakarta-Tomcat (Paperback)

I was very disappointed when I cracked open the book today to find that much of book is focused on things like writing servlets and jsp based pages, rather than administration of Jakarta-Tomcat. If I wanted a Servlet writing book, I would ref my O'Reilly Java Servlet Programming book.

The main reason I purchased this book was because I wanted to be certain that my Apache driven Solaris box, responsible for virtual hosting several sites, was configured correctly to maintain several instances of the JVM for each customer. Chapter 9 Integrating the Apache HTTP Server is just plain funny. If you delete the "What is Apache" section along with the pictures, weak example and summary, the chapter is only a few paragraphs long! Zero help!

If you enjoy books that are essentially general overviews and contain remotely related content that can be better handled by other dedicated books, then this book is for you!

I just purchased "Professional Apache" by Peter Wainwright and was very impressed with the level of detail given by Peter. Buy it if you want REAL information regarding the configuration and management of Apache. I am still hunting for one of similar caliber for Jakarta-Tomcat!