Customer Reviews

Java Servlet Programming

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

This book provides excellent and clear explanations of servlet programming but it is definitely not for the novice. Experience in programming with Java is essential to get the full benefit however experienced CGI programmers who are converting to Java/Servlets should also find it essential reading.

However (potiential) readers should be aware that published in October 1998 it is now slightly dated if you are using latest Servlet API, however nevertheless, still is the best Servlet book I have been able to find.

It's intial explanation of the Server side of the equation was worth the cost alone by helping me to understand exactly how the servlets interact with the server, and hence how to maximise the performance of servlets which have to interact with various databases. (Also has a good section on JDBC - Java DataBase Connectivity - which most servlet writers will need).

I would still recommend this book to the motivated novice but only after reading some other introduction to java, such as the 'Java Tutorial' (in book or on Sun's website).

We have a half dozen books on servlets lying around the office, and I've also read the online tutorial from Sun. Nothing compares in breadth, depth, or clarity to Hunter and Crawford's "Java Servlet Programming".

Luckily, the second edition does not tinker with the tried and true formula of the first: brief overview, hello world servlet, a thorough overview of the HTTP protocol itself and the architecture of servlets, a discussion of thread and resource issues, and a standalone chapter on session management. Despite the 700+ pages of this book (are authors paid by the pound these days?), this core introduction remains only 200 pages and change. Each topic is presented with definitions and clear, yet realistic code examples. The authors not only provide advice on how to use servlets effectively, but also provide numerous suggestions on how to avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions.

The remaining 500 pages cover topics such as security, internationalization, database connectivity and communicating with applets. Although these are not really servlet-specific issues, they are almost always present in some combination on web sites, and the authors indicate the peculiar way in which the standard Java approaches to these problems interact with the servlet architecture. Each is presented in its own clear chapter with several examples. The beauty of these chapters is that like good code, they're modular and can be read in any order.

In what I think is a sensible organization, Java Server Pages (JSPs) and "application frameworks" are left for last. Both are well defined and illustrated. There's also 50 pages of reference, but frankly, I prefer the javadoc.

that have been plaguing the online servlet interest group for months. In addition to covering all the topics of the first session, Jason (Will Crawford did not contribute to this edition) brings the content nearly up-to-date with all the dizzying array of developments in the servlet API, Tomcat , and the Web Applications Framework that have taken place since publication of the first edition (October 1998).

In particular, he illuminates the dark recesses of XML deployment descriptors, Tomcat 3.2, J2EE, the Tea and WebMacro frameworks WAP, XMLC and the changes from JSDK 1.0 to 2.2. Every topic is accompanied by working code snippets and often the code builds on itself so the would-be servlet programmer can participate in the development of complex applications from simple beginnings. I say "nearly up-to-date" because Tomcat 4.0 beta, incorporating JSDK 2.3 has been released, but to Jason's credit, he devotes an entire chapter on 2.3! This is about as current as hardcopy gets these days!

My copy of the first edition is falling apart from constant use as a reference and already my copy of the 2d Edition is showing signs of wear. I could not recommend this book highly enough. If more people bought and read it, my email from the servlet interest group would no doubt decrease by an order of magnitiude!

April 25, 2001

I read this after programming pure Java on the business logic layer for half a year, and had the need to learn EJB and Servlets because I'm evaluating app server like Weblogic. I found the materials in this book very appropriate in terms of the details and depth. However it doens't indulge into particular Java language details so it's good for anyone who wanna know more about how this technology behind many production web sites' middle tier workflow logic works.

Pros:

- The first five chapters have very detailed introduction to the Servlet basics: again, great for beginners.

- It then goes into a broad-based perspective to mention how to do various interesting stuff with servlets. I particularly like Chapters 7,8,9,11,13 - Session Tracking, Security and Database Connectivity, Interservlet Communication and other miscelleaneous stuff such as how to do Regular Expression.

- I like the examples where probably half of them are actually useful utilities which you can use to faciliate your own applications

Cons:

- Published back in 1998, the book works with Java Servlet API 2.0 which is now outdated. I tried to use the getServlet() call mentioned in the discussion of Servlet Reuse. It's not working since version 2.1. And the session tracking API also give deprecated warnings. The book is probably due for a second edition but for the time being it's still a good starter if you use it together with Sun's Java website or Weblogic's Servlet examples.

Unlike most of the reviews here, I actually started using this book with only a couple of weeks of Java experience. I found the book easily readable. I use servlets on the job and any real-life problem or question I've faced has been dealt with in this book. The general introduction to servlets chapters were great for comparing the technology to CGI, and they helped convince my management that my choice of servlets was a wise one. Also, the oreilly Java servlet classes that come with the book were helpful too, and I have relied on them for real business use. Servlets touch on many other Java APIs in the course of use and it was not the authors intention of putting in everything you need to know, but just about everything you need to know about servlets. For example, the chapter on JDBC doesn't exhaust JDBC, but it will give you a taste so you can figure out how it affects servlets. The author's website which complents the book is quite helpful as well. I would suggest that this computer book covers its scope better than any other computer book I've read. I highly recommend it.

This book is an excellent introduction and tutorial for anyone who wants to learn and use servlets... and who would that be? well if you have done server-side scripting (Perl, ASP, SSJS), and long for something more robust, more extensible and just cleaner (not to mention platform- and server- independent) - servlets are just what the doctor ordered.

But the authors have gone beyond just introductory material - tackling many advanced features deftly as well

It does make some assumptions about the reader (familiarity with Java is assumed, of course, as is some familiarity with web applications), but like all O'Reilly books, that means that it is very specific and to the point.

It was perfect for someone in my position. I had previous experience with server-side programming (CGI, SSJS and ASP), and significant experience with Java.

As a java software developer, who works a lot with servlets, I found this book very useful. But it really isn't targetted towards novice programmers. You need to already have some background about servlets. I found the book especially useful in teaching some of the more advanced servlet programming issues. As well as the chapter which dealt with applet-servlet communication. (There is a basic chat system sample in chapter 10 which is written using applets and servlets. I learned a lot from looking at that sample, and I also learned a lot from the problems in it..) Overal, it's a good book, but you have to concentrate when reading the book, and sometimes, even read the chapter more than once.

This was the first book on Servlets I bought for reference. I found this book great but I wanted more information on servlets. So I bought some more books from Amazon. None of them came close to the depth of content and the quality of examples presented in this book. If you are a java developer wanting to have just one reference (and THE reference) then this book is for you. Look no further!

So many people have specific expectations especially for APIs that support a wide range of application and design. I wouldn't understand why anybody exclusively interested in JSP or code samples would buy a book meant to provide a basic understanding of servlet programming, but I guess it happens. Therefore, I would like to speak on behalf of what this book represents in terms of it's scope and intent. I haven't actully met Mr. Hunter, but I have attended his JDOM session at the XML DevCon, 2000; and, I can tell that he is quite knowledgeable in both his field and in his craft. Even the first edition of JAVA Servlet Programming was worth buying for it's basic overview of servlet implementation and a series of case studies covering common web application. If you're the type of person to invest in solid fundamentals, this is the book for you.

I completely agree with the 5-star positive reviews listed here. I saw a couple of new ones that were not so positive, so I wanted to voice my opinion.

This book is very well written - well structured, with in depth explanations, humor, good code examples. It can be used both as a tutorial and as a reference.

Even though it may be showing its age now in a couple of places (e.g. Tapestry is not mentioned, uses JDK 1.0 and 1.1 for the examples), it is still very good. It paints a complete picture, so one ends up with understanding of the principles and architecture - which is what matters - for the updated APIs there is always JavaDOC.

I don't know how suitable it is for beginners, but for an experienced programmer it is a thoroughly enjoyable read - once I started it I couldn't stop until I finished (I didn't actually type the examples - that isn't necessary for understanding the material) .