Groovy in Action (Paperback)

~ Dierk Koenig (Author), Andrew Glover (Author), Paul King (Author), Guillaume Laforge (Author), (Author), James Gosling (Foreword)
Key Phrases: abstract syntax tree, template method, string buffer, Seeing the Grails, Integrating Groovy, Paul Tergat (more...)

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

Product Description

"... a clear and detailed exposition of what is groovy about Groovy. I'm glad to have it on my bookshelf."
--From the Foreword by James Gosling

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications; illustrated edition edition (January 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932394842
• ISBN-13: 978-1932394849
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,508 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 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 "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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...

9 of 9 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 (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Bas Vodde (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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!