Groovy in Action [Paperback]

Dierk Koenig (Author), Andrew Glover (Author), Paul King (Author), Guillaume Laforge (Author), Jon Skeet (Author), James Gosling (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2007

Groovy, the brand-new language for the Java platform, brings to Java many of the features that have made Ruby popular. Groovy in Action is a comprehensive guide to Groovy programming, introducing Java developers to the new dynamic features that Groovy provides. To bring you Groovy in Action, Manning again went to the source by working with a team of expert authors including both members and the Manager of the Groovy Project team. The result is the true definitive guide to the new Groovy language.

Groovy in Action introduces Groovy by example, presenting lots of reusable code while explaining the underlying concepts. Java developers new to Groovy find a smooth transition into the dynamic programming world. Groovy experts gain a solid reference that challenges them to explore Groovy deeply and creatively.

Because Groovy is so new, most readers will be learning it from scratch. Groovy in Action quickly moves through the Groovy basics, including:

• Simple and collective Groovy data types
• Working with Closures and Groovy Control Structures
• Dynamic Object Orientation, Groovy style

Readers are presented with rich and detailed examples illustrating Groovy's enhancements to Java, including

• How to Work with Builders and the GDK
• Database programming with Groovy

Groovy in Action then demonstrates how to Integrate Groovy with XML, and provides:

• Tips and Tricks
• Unit Testing and Build Support
• Groovy on Windows

An additional bonus is a chapter dedicated to Grails, the Groovy Web Application Framework.

Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Groovy in Action is not just a language guide, but represents the clear, readable and enjoyable specification of Groovy (and you should definitely read it and start playing with Groovy." -- --Alexander Popescu, Mindstorm

"The definitive book on the [Groovy] language." -- --Andrew Binstock, SD Times

About the Author

Guillaume Laforge is the official Groovy Project Manager and member of the JSR-241 Expert Group standardizing the Groovy Scripting Language. Guillaume is a software architect and Open Source consultant, working for OCTO Technology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications; 1 edition (January 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932394842
• ISBN-13: 978-1932394849
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What "Java-script" would be if the name wasn't already taken... March 13, 2007

By Thomas Duff HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Scripting languages, although initially derided as "toy languages", have continued to evolve and mature over time. Now, no serious programmer (in my opinion) would deny that a scripting language can save a ton of time and effort for many programming problems. Groovy In Action by Dierk Konig with Andrew Glover, Paul King, Guillaume Laforge, and Jon Skeet covers the Java scripting language known as Groovy, and does an excellent job in doing so.

Contents:

Your Way to Groovy

Part 1 - The Groovy Language: Overture - The Groovy Basics; The Simple Groovy Datatypes; The Collective Groovy Datatypes; Working With Closures; Groovy Control Structures; Dynamic Object Orientation - Groovy Style

Part 2 - Around The Groovy Library: Working With Builders; Working With The GDK; Database Programming With Groovy; Integrating Groovy; Working With XML

Part 3 - Everyday Groovy: Tips And Tricks; Unit Testing With Groovy; Groovy On Windows; Seeing The Grails Light

Appendix A - Installation And Documentation; Appendix B - Groovy Language Info; Appendix C - GDK API Quick Reference; Appendix D - Cheat Sheets; Index

If you're familiar with the Java language and syntax, then you've already conquered a great deal of what you need to know about Groovy. The authors show how simple a Groovy script can be, and how much can be accomplished in many fewer lines than an equivalent Java program. In part 1, you get the mental framework for how Groovy works, the model for scripts, and many examples of code that cover a broad spectrum of what's possible. Part 2 goes a bit more into the guts of the language, giving you a reference guide to the different language features.... This is where you'll spend a lot of time as you start to work with the language and explore the various methods and properties that are available. And finally, the last part shows real-life solutions and scenarios that you can use to either learn how to solve your particular problem or get ideas on solutions you may not have thought about before. When you look at this as a combination tutorial/reference/cookbook title all in a single volume, you start to grasp what a great job they did...

I was especially intrigued with the integration material. Compiled Groovy scripts are actually turned into Java bytecode the same as a compiled Java program would be. With the addition of the Groovy jar files into your project, you can use the scripts in your own programs with no additional effort. I'm really wondering if adding the Groovy jar files to a Domino application would allow you to use Groovy scripts for agents. If so, that gives me a powerful new addition to the Domino development toolbox. Now if I can only find some time to give it a try...

It goes without saying that if you're interested in Groovy, you'll want this book. And if you're interested in leveraging your Java knowledge into a whole new area, I'd completely recommend checking this out. It's very good... Read more ›

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't live without Groovy. You just can't. August 18, 2007

By J. Smith

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am going to make this short, because I want to get ONE message across to you, loud and clear. If you are working with Java, you MUST take a look at Groovy.

I cannot overemphasize the coming importance of Groovy on the Java platform, not just in web development, but everywhere. Just try it already. You'll "get it." Just trust me and do it!

Groovy in Action is a first rate introduction and reference, and you really do need a book for this language. I don't recommend trying to go it alone with online reference material, though there is plenty there to give you a taste of why Groovy is about to become your new favorite language.

Read the other reviews. I'm not going to repeat a bunch of stuff here. But whatever you do, TRY GROOVY. You will quickly come to wonder how you ever got along without it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Primer (if a bit dated) on a Great Language March 8, 2008

By Joe McTee

Format:Paperback

While getting a little long in the tooth (GINA was released pre-Groovy 1.0, Groovy is now above 1.5), the material presented in the book is still very relevant and helpful. The biggest issue is that some of the newer (and cooler!) features, such as ExpandoMetaClass, of the language are not covered.

That being said, this is still a great introduction to the a language that will likely become an important player in Java shops as developers migrate existing designs to take advantage of the power the dynamic programming provides. The authors do a great job of explaining the concepts and syntax of the language, making it easy to quickly begin writing code of your own.

While books such as Groovy Recipes: Greasing the Wheels of Java are now available that cover the newest features in Groovy, a perusal of GINA can help to flatten the learning curve.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply outstanding January 31, 2007

By Alleon Guillaume

Format:Paperback

I have read a lot of books that claim to drive you through all aspects of a new programming language. Most don't. "Groovy in Action" does this outstandingly.

Navigating in the 16 chapters is a pleasure regardless of your knowledge of the subject.

If you are a Java newbie, you will painlessly be initiated to the syntax of the language through numerous simple but useful samples. Should you already be a Java addict, you will learn the interesting subtle differences between the two languages - but be careful as this is a one way ticket :-)

You will also find Closures and the special syntax for collections missing from the JDK.

Finally, if you are already familiar with dynamic languages and Groovy itself, you will probably find it very interesting to learn how Groovy works behind the scenes with its Meta Object Protocol.

If you've been curious about dynamic languages and want to learn Groovy, this is the book that is missing on your desk. I'm pleased with the quality of the writing, the examples, and the quick pace of the book.

I am very impressed.

Thanks guys for this really enjoyable piece of work.

Guillaume Alléon

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great new language! February 3, 2007

By Bas Vodde

Format:Paperback

When I picked up this book for the first time, I had no clue what Groovy was, what the background of Groovy was or whether it was actually useful and good. The name of the book sounded good though!

After reading this book, I know. Groovy is a new programming language that is based on Java. It's more like a scripting language than Java, but then not exactly that :) It's a dynamic language. It can be described as Java with all the missing Java features. Groovy is a serious challenger to Ruby in the race to becoming the latest modern popular programming language.

The book starts with explaining the differences between Groovy and Java. From there it goes over explaining all the basic Groovy concepts, in a way that a good programming language book should do it. It introduces exciting things like Closures and Builders. Closures in particular is something really missing from Java at the moment and it's nice to have it in Groovy.

The book continuous and talks about Groovy and XML, Databases, Web and unit testing. The book covers all major topics that it needs after finishing the book you'll know about Groovy and probably want to start developing Groovy code (if you haven't already started!)

The book is written extremly readable and it's been a very pleasent read. The autors done a great job. Thanks!