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

Marty Hall (Author), Larry Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0130092290 | ISBN-13: 978-0130092298 | Edition: 2

Marty 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!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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.

From the Back Cover

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (September 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130092290
• ISBN-13: 978-0130092298
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Servlets and JSP, September 12, 2005

By 

Joby Walker (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Others 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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book but where is the the second volume?, February 25, 2005

By 

Bradley Simonin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is a great book on learning Java Servlets and JSP development. Even though I have been a Java Servlet developer for years I still refer back to this book when I forget how to accomplish certian tasks. If you are new to Java Servlets then this book will get you up to speed pretty fast. Especially with the MVC design pattern and development with sessions, cookies, etc.

My only complaint is the advanced features of Volume II still are not available. The author states he will cover JavaServer Faces and Struts in a Volume II which never seems to make it to the publisher.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, April 24, 2006

By 

Droop (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Core Servlets and Javaserver Pages: Core Technologies, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Not a book for beginning programmers, however if you have minimal java experience and are proficient in other languages you will be able to figure it out.

This book is an excellent read but has little reference value because it has no index. It is very informative if you are looking for something that explains the in's and out's and why's of .jsp and servlets, but if you are looking for lessons and sample code, you will have better luck looking for it online. But then again if you have experience, you can figure out the code yourself -not that difficult.

P.S. There is a wealth of hints and code at java.sun.com That site coupled with this book was enough to get me on my way.