Customer Reviews

Java Design: Objects, UML, and Process

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Java Design: Objects, UML, And Process by software is consultant and Java expert Kirk Knoernschild a comprehensive computer programmer's reference for the creation of high quality, useful, reusable, and long-lasting software designs. Individual chapters cover the basics of UML, modeling strategies, analyzing problems, designing subsystems and much more. Java Design: Objects, UML, And Process is a superbly organized and presented reference for programmers who has mastered the basics of Java and are ready to broaden their applied skills and expertise in the robust, highly practical, and increasingly popular computer language of Java.

I came across this book after reading The Elements of UML Style's Bibliography by Scott W. Ambler who is a founder and thought leader on the Agile Modeling methodology. I thought it might explain a different way to do OOAD using UML compared to books written by Craig Larman. Not really.

But the surprise to me was how agile it made the use of OO, UML, and process. The title should be: Agile Java Design Objects, UML, and Process. This only the book that I have read that made me feel confident about using RUP and how it's use should not slow down the process. While I have read other UML modeling books, none of them made it clear to not get hung up on every detail in each iteration. The book is shorter some of other UML OO books and this adds to its agility. It directs you to get through the process more quickly and to not lose sight of the end goal.

Here's a nugget: "However, even more important is satisfying use requirements in the allotted time frame. Don't spend a lot of time trying to find the best solution the first time. Instead, find something that works and continue to refine and improve that system throughout the development effort."

Also, the book has numerous best practices and best-of-breed technologies on object-oriented analysis and design that I have not read in any other books. For example, while it emphasizes that architecture plays a key role, it says it is advantageous to use UML to obtain feedback from peers and mentors, and to develop throwaway prototypes as Frederick Brooks recommended in the Mythical Man-Month to contribute to a more resilient, robust, and flexible final product.

The bottom-line surprise was that this book helped me guage the appropriate level of detail for an software architecture document and tells why reverse-engineering source is inappropriate for this. As Kirk writes, "We should be cautious when producing detailed, low-level diagrams because they risk becoming outdated as our internal code structure changes. Instead, higher-level, architecturally signficant diagrams should be created that communicate our architecture and solve complex architectural challenges. In general, our golden rule should be to produce any artifact only if it contributes positively to the development of better software."

Whilst not perfect (an it is a bit wordy), this is a good overview of a difficult topic which is too often overlooked by other books. It isn't as trendy as XP (which this book mentions in passing) or future-perfect at AOP but the use of UML with a robust process for developing applications such as that espoused by this book will keep you out of a whole lot of trouble. Where this book goes wrong, in my opinion, is the overcomplication in the terminology used. The processes described are fairly simple in themselves - it's just the way they're explained which isn't. In short, a good technical editor would've helped this book immensely. If you're interested in a simpler (but less process oriented solution), try Enterprise Java with UML by CT Arrington which is, so far the best book on this subject.

I have this book bought in the Philippines. I was new to the java then but very enthusiastic learning stuff about UML, design patterns and software development process. This book has it all in few pages, I was quick to learn those things especially about class and package principles and applying to my work.
I like this book agile approach on explaining things. This book is highly recommended

I am indebted to Mr.Knoernschild in two ways,first his thorough grasp of presenting the convergence of a suite of technologies in a clear and simple way,secondly his techical agility with requirement, design, modelling and mapping to appropriate heirarchical levels within a package.

Please, may I seize this opprtunitiy to urge you to write another book on Data Structures and algorithmns in Java. Thank you.

This book is more of an overview on design. It doesn't cover design patters (except some passing references) and processes (XP and RUP are covered briefly in an appendix). It's more of a best practices book, but how many are you going to remember when you actually get down to design and coding? Patters, on the other hand, are more concrete.

UML is covered well, and all discussions are accompanied by UML diagrams.

You can read this book before you move on to heavy duty books on design and patterns. There is nothing Java specific here, except sample code, so you can read this even if you don't use Java.

First of all it defines the UML through the view of Java language and it emphasizes the UML that most of the architects and developers would use.

It has a little bit too much of why the developers should use UML and if it is an individual versus team aproach but other than that it cleary defines the class and packages principles. The whole book is guided by these.

Definitely a book to buy.

I found this book tremendously helpful. It is full of programming principles which immediately helped me with a project I was working on.

I thought the approach of the book was excellent. The well-written merging of Java design topics put me in a beneficial mind-set. I believe I avoided several architectural mistakes because of this book.

I took a Systems Analysis and Design class a year ago. I feel this book helped me make several connections between that course work and the books I have read that cover just the basics of Java syntax.

Very enlightening! Even though a little bit short, this book is one of the best java design books I have ever read.

In its some 240 pages, the author covers all the critical aspects in designing Java applications. The author uses great examples to reveal the subtlety in OO design, and provide insightful explanations to the OO principles used behind the design decisions.

I'd highly recommend this book to every developer or designer who takes his/her design skills to the next level.

The first chapter alone was worth the price. Though I've been involved in Java and OO for sometime, the academics of it have escaped me. This book enabled me fill the holes in the OO/Java fundamentals necessary to build resilient systems. The author does a nice job tying in the first chapter to the rest of the book and reiterating the important elements. Don't expect an easy read! This material is pretty heavy stuff. However, when you've finished, you will have learned (instead of just read) some important OO concepts in the context of Java.