Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Apache Jakarta Commons project is a collection of freely-reusable, opensource Java components. Commons components are used in a wide variety ofprojects, including Apache Tomcat, Hibernate, and many other commercialand open source projects.This book is a Java developer's guide to the Apache Jakarta Commons project.It covers in detail the twelve most important Commons packages, with sampleprogram code provided for each. Included are a number of remarkably usefulideas for working the various Commons packages, such as using HttpClient toaccess web resources, File Upload for handling HTTP file upload, BeanUtilsfor easy form generation, implementations of various protocols such as FTPand NNTP, and building a command line tool to search for the location ofclasses on the class path.Also included are detailed instructions for combining the Commons projectlibraries with the popular Eclipse IDE. Plus, the book includes a handy 75-page Jakarta Commons quick reference Appendix.

From the Back Cover

• Easy-to-follow coverage of twelve indispensable Jakarta Commons packages

• Code examples that show innovative uses of Commons components, including using HttpClient to access Web resources, FileUpload for handling HTTP file uploads, and BeanUtils for easy form generation

• Detailed instructions for combining the Commons project libraries with the popular Eclipse IDE

Save time and money with reusable open source Java™ components

Master the Jakarta Commons Library of Open Source JavaTM Components

Using the Apache Jakarta Commons reusable Java™ components, you can leverage the work of the global open-source community to solve common programming problems reliably, quickly, and inexpensively. But, to use the Commons libraries effectively, you need far more guidance than the official documentation offers. In Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java™ Components, Will Iverson covers what Java developers need to know to take full advantage of Jakarta Commons—starting right now.

Iverson begins with a definitive overview of the Commons project: goals, installation, and getting started with Commons components. Next, he presents example-rich chapters on the twelve most useful Commons packages, covering topics ranging from HTTP FileUpload to database connectivity. Iverson provides detailed code samples for every component he describes. After you've mastered the core Jakarta Commons packages, you'll constantly rely on this book's handy seventy-five page quick-reference. Iverson's coverage includes

• Downloading Commons project libraries and installing them into Eclipse

• Programmatically accessing resources via HTTP, FTP, NNTP, and other Internet protocols

• Using the Jakarta Commons suite of configurable object pools

• Managing database connectivity in Swing applications—and anywhere containers aren't doing it for you

• Using BeanUtils to generate forms and gain runtime access to information provided by JavaBeans-style objects

• Traversing complex object graphs with JXPath

• Using Jakarta Commons' advanced collections tools to establish richer object relationships

• Extending java.lang with better methods for manipulating core classes

• Implementing conversion routines, configurable logging, command-line help, and more

• Exploring the newest packages, including emerging "sandbox" packages

Whether you're building code for front-end Web applications, client-side software, or back-end servers, learning Jakarta Commons will make you far more efficient. Apache Jakarta Commons is the fastest way to master and get results with Commons.

About the Web Site

All of the book's sample Java programs are available for download from: http://www.cascadetg.com/commons/.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (February 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131478303
• ISBN-13: 978-0131478305
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #928,521 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars description with api, April 9, 2005

By	Jeanne Boyarsky (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

"Apache Jakarta Commons" shows the reader the power of the Commons libraries. It provides a very brief overview of the available components and goes into detail on 12 of them. APIs are explained through both class diagrams and description. The author provides best practices, warnings and project ideas. The book gets started right away, on page three.

The code examples are clear and well commented. The consistent coding standard throughout the book helps with readability. The author highlights differences between the sample code and "real apps."

The book is meant for experienced Java programmers. The author assumes readers have knowledge of JSPs, Servlets, Swing and UML. Most importantly, he assumes readers are comfortable with learning by reading through code. Readers are not assumed to have knowledge of the specialized topics such as XPath or encryption.

Note that this 325-page book is really a 201-page book. Appendix A is the entire API of the Commons lang project - word for word. I found the printed API to be difficult to read since the methods tend to run into each other. Since the other Commons projects have APIs online only, readers have to be comfortable using the online JavaDoc anyway.

This is the type of book that readers will find either valuable or minimally useful. For those who like bound versions, this book gets you started quickly. For those who like online documentation, the UML diagrams are the primary benefit given the online JavaDoc and code samples.

2.0 out of 5 stars skip this one it only scratches the surface., September 16, 2006

By	java coder (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I recently started working on serveral projects that require using the Apache Commons packages. After looking at several of the Apache Commons books available I chose this one. This is a choice I regret.

I've had this book at my work desk now for a several months, and several times needed to learn look something up about Apache Commons. One example we doing an multipart HTTP POST to send large files. In every case, this book was useless. Sometime it didn't even have the needed classes in the Appendix. The knowledge in the book is only the most introductory stuff that you could get off a web pages in an hour or two. Except for the most basic questions, or for the complete novice this book is useless. I'd throw this book away if I hadn't spent so much money on it.

I gave it to stars, just because someone (very novice) might find it useful. It does have complete examples, but I don't think intermediate or advanced java programmers would find them useful.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Missing two of the most important projects, January 19, 2006

By	ozgwei - See all my reviews

Two of the most important projects are not introduced in this book except in the "Other Project" chapter where the information you can get from Jakarta Commons website is better and clearer.

The two projects are:
Validator - a must for almost every Java developer. Who doesn't do validations? This project provides useful validations such as email address and credit card numbers. More importantly, it allows us to define validation rules in XML format.

Digester - also a must for anyone who needs to parse XML configuration files or rule files. Very handy. No need to use SAX directly anymore.

I also found that other projects that enjoy a chapter in the book are not explained better than from Jakarta Commons Website. For example, the Lang project. I learned more from the Jakarta Commons website in an hour than from the book.

To summarise, this book is really disappointing and not worth the money.