Customer Reviews

Lotus Notes & Domino Essential Reference

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book originally expecting a full reference to Lotus and at first was a little dissappointed that it only covered LotusScript and Java. After reading it, now it is the only reference I use for LotusScript. I too have several other books, but none give the information and detaill in an easy to read format like this book. Anything you want to know about Classes, Methods, Properties, Events, and new R5 LotusScript features are covered in this book in detail with good examples. I also like how each class has it's own contents page giving page numbers for all of the assosiated Properties, Methods, and Events for QUICK reference.

If I could get someone to write down everything I don't know about LotusScript and Java, it would fill a book. Well, this is that book.

Hatter and Banks aren't wordy and target this book strictly at the experienced developer looking for a reference work. That makes this incredibly useful. These days I carry this book (thankfully light despite being 700 pages) between sites all the time. The lovely posters from Lotus might list all the properties and methods, but these guys provide the details underneath it.

The remarks on each class are pertinent, yet brief (as for NotesRichTextItem, "you must call the save method of the parent Notes document to save the data to disk") They include examples not only for classes, but also occasionally for methods and properties.

Interestingly, a quick check of the index for 'Index, databases' found only a reference to the updateFTIndex method for Java Database class and not to the LotusScript NotesDatabase class, while 'Registering Users' listed the LotusScript page and not the Java one. Perhaps the editors need to work on that. Fortunately, they provide a lot of cross-references on the pages, giving you page numbers for the classes mentioned in the text, reducing the need to refer to the table of contents or the index.

The print's small, but they use fonts, abbreviations and familiar symbols to get the message across clearly.

On balance, it's well worth the (money) I paid Amazon for it - it probably saved me an hour today and none of our hours come cheap, do they?

First of all, if you're new to Domino, LotusScript, or Java - this might NOT be the book for you. On the other hand, if you're an experienced Domino programmer (LS or Java) that needs a quick reference without any filler, this is a good book to get. It's half LS, half Java, and it's got all the classes alphabetized so you can get at them right away. It's even got the new R5 classes like the ViewNavigator. I have it laying at my desk and use it all the time while programming. It's way better then the yellow or red books and has recently (almost) replaced Bob's book at my side. A wise investment for the causal Domino programmer and a requirement for the serious Domino programmer. Only thing I can complain about is that there be more examples that show how to use each property/method, but then the book would easily be 2x the size. I actually give this book 4.5 stars, but I rounded up cause Amazon doesn't let you do fractional scores.

I have 25 or more Lotus Notes books in my library. None of them have the depth of coverage that is found in this book. The only thing that would make it better is to have it on a CD.

Finally, a "power" reference book aimed at real Developers. Well-organized and chock-full of useful information. Fills in many of the gaps in the existing Lotus documentation. A must-have if you're into serious Domino development.

Bob Pratico R5 PCLP

This is a good book providing advanced LotusScript and Java examples beyond standard reference stuff taken from Help. As the back cover says, it contains all the front and back end classes for LotusScript and Java. But, it is a detailed reference on ONLY those two topics, not a "panacean tool" for all Domino areas as the back cover also implies in the FIRST sentence (as Dilbert says, all marketing people lie and should be shot). so you need to learn LotusScript and Java somewhere else to use this.

My only gripe is that the title is really misleading - this ONLY covers LotusScript and Java, and should be described as such in the title. I recommended this book at a recent Orange County (CA) Notes & Domino user group and gave away a raffle copy, and there was much interest from the experienced developers. There are other books that cover many topics about Domino, but this one covers only the two topics in very good detail not available elsewhere.

Now, maybe they might do the same for Javascript and HTML within the Domino environment in the future - hear that guys! I could also use a manual comparing techniques using standard Notes features with EXAMPLES how to do the same task just for the web.

There is no companion CD, and it would have been nice to get a full text searchable, Notes nsf file of the book like other publishers provide to carry on your laptop.

The book is list priced at $45, Amazon is $9 less, and I bought it when it first came out at the local Microcenter store for $25. Most of you won't be near such a good bookstore, so Amazon continues to be a good source for this kind of book...

If you plan to do any real Domino application development, you need this book. Though I am only interested in the "back-end" Notes/Domino Object Model for use in web development, this book gives me the information I need. As a seasoned Visual Basic developer, but a Domino-Newbie, this book has flattened my learning curve. I find it time-consumig to use Domino's online-help to find what I need; and feel that the Redbooks are poorly written. This book is concise, well-organized and full of useful examples. Buy it or be sorry.

Finally a book that covers both LotusScript and Java in clear and detailed format. This is an essential reference book for any Notes/Domino shop. The sample code is first rate.

Amazon only lets you put in 5 stars, this is a shame. If you are a Notes programmer, this IS your Essential Reference. I have found no other book that combines all of the LotusScript and Java front and back-end classes in such a usable fashion. The authors were kind enough to be concise yet descriptive while also providing many useful examples.

If I run into Tim or Dave at LotusSphere, I am definitely buying them a beer.

Excellent reference book. It contains all Notes and java classes, methods, and properties. It is handy and you can keep it on your desk as a reference.