Customer Reviews

Developer's Guide to Lotus Notes and Domino R5

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Molotsky really hit the nail on the head with this one. In between the 600-1000 page tomes on every aspect of Notes and the pure reference works, there aren't a whole lot of well-written books.

If you're not a "classically-trained" developer (i.e. no degree in Computer Science, no background in C++), the first 50 pages are really useful in explaining the theory and process of development - he even makes reference to esoteric books on development theory.

He spends about 200 pages on the Domino Object Model. I tend to think that it is SIGNIFICANTLY different from the help documentation, in that it explains WHY you use certain methods. There is no syntax helps provided here (I use "Lotus Notes & Domino: Essential Reference" for that), but because it is not a reference work, you can read through these 200 pages and actually learn from them.

The section on Domino in the Real World is a chapter that should exist in every book of this style. He provides not just a problem and a solution, but also examines other possible solutions and explains why he chose the one he did. Now, I disagreed with some of his solutions, as I'd implemented something else myself. On the other hand, it's like sitting around at DevCon and talking about the solutions each of you has implemented.

He also provides two chapters as launching pads into advanced development - one on OLE & API and the other on Java & Javascript.

I read this book on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I was oohing and ahhhing for three days, much to the amusement of my cohorts. I may be a serious geek, but Molotsky had enough insight to keep me riveted.

There is a huge gaping hole in the literature available for Domino right now and that is this: A book who's focus is primarily on building Web based applications within the Domino environment (which is tricky, as there are all sorts of gotcha's and caveats when building a web app vs. a Notes app). Sadly, that is not the focus of this book at all. It concentrates on proper development processes, and then repeats a lot of information on LotusScript and the Notes DOM that is already available in the Help system. Chapter 6 - "Domino in the Real World" is OK, but it only hits upon a few issues. I want to see a book that talks about immplementing a web strategy from beginning to end with Domino, from setting up the security model for the web to setting up nice forms for users to fill in with lots of sample code and tips and tricks. Appaently Brett Molotsky is writing a book with this kind of focus (referred to on the bakc of this book). I hope it addresses the concerns above and comes out before R6.

After reading half way through I have to say this is a wonderful book with a lot of practical how-to when-to information. I have a ton of books that are syntax references or a 10,000-foot example of a workflow setup. The author seems to have hands on experience giving you the best scenarios and pitfalls to watch out far.

This book will assume you can get around a computer and have had some rudimentary programming exposure. This book fills in many gaps with an application developer in the workforce perspective.

This book is a solid practical guide to Notes developing. It dispenses with the lengthy explanation of newbie guides and reframes from lofty tangents that have little impact on the real work application development environment.

Now if I only had the author in the cube next to me my life would be complete!

I frequently come back to this book for reference. It is well written and provides some excellent examples / sample code.

If what you want is good, practical knowledge of the use of Lotus Notes and Domino in the work environment, then this book is a great resource! Written in such a way that even new consultants can benefit from the expertise shared in the chapters, the book covers many of the bases that today's Lotus Notes consultants need to succeed!