In the Java universe, the interface layer of the ubiquitous model-view-controller (MVC) software design paradigm is handled by either servlets of JavaServer Pages (JSP). The second edition of
Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, like its predecessor, documents these handy technologies fully and practically. Far more than a straight API reference, this book presents examples--complete with code and a listing or screen shot showing results--wherever possible. It's a fantastic strategy for communicating to programmers what they need to do in order to achieve the effects and behaviors they desire. What's new in the second edition? Lots, in terms of its eponymous software development environments: The book covers servlets 2.4 and JSP 2.0. The examples are more refined, too, and more attention is paid to supporting technologies like Web and database servers.
The didactic approach of authors Marty Hall and Larry Brown is recipe-like. They typically begin with a statement of a problem to be solved, then discuss relevant aspects of the servlet or JSP API. A series of code listings follows, and screen shots showing results bring up the rear. The net effect is that it's easy to spot relevant sections in the table of contents, it's clear how implementation works (thanks to the extensive listings) and there's no doubt about what the results are supposed to be. More elaborate examples show how servlets and JSP work in shopping cart, auction, and other applications. This is a significant and worthwhile update to an important Java book. --David Wall
Topics covered: Java servlets 2.4, JavaServer Pages (JSP) 2.0 (including the new expression language), HTML forms, JDBC database connectivity, and the details of how servlets and JSP are implemented in Apache Tomcat, Caucho Resin, and Macromedia JRun.
User review
Good book
Very good book for java servlet newbies. I could get tomcat to work with simple java servlets within couple of days of reading this book. Highly recommended if you are new to servlets, JSP and server side programming with Java.
User review
excellent book to get deep in to Java Servlets
This has very detailed examples and explaination in the design and concepts of Java Servlets. Good examples help accelerate learning process. Very useful for servlet based web app development
User review
Excellent book
This is an excellent book with lots of good examples. I'm new to servlets and jsp and I recommend it to anybody learning how to develop java web apps.
User review
Great Servlet Programming guide
If you're learning web servlet programming this is a great book. I've found it hard to put down. The examples are great and the explanations are too.
User review
Mediocre Book
I bought this book based on reviews of others, and found it to be a disappointment. The coverage is mediocre at best, and a lot of the techniques that the author uses are outdated -- probably just carried forward from earlier editions of this book.
The thing that bothers me most of all is that throughout this book, the author keeps referring the reader to Volume 2 for coverage of the more advanced topics. Unfortunately, Volume 2 has been delayed for over a year, and may not ever be released. Had I known Volume 2 wasn't coming out soon, I would have gone with a different author for learning servlets and JSP.
