Aimed at Web developers with some previous Java experience,
Java Servlet Programming, Second Edition, offers a solid introduction to the world of Java development with Servlets and related technologies. Thoroughly revised and newly updated with over a half-dozen new chapters, this title brings an already useful text up to speed with some leading-edge material. It excels particularly in explaining how to program dynamic Web content using Java Servlets, with a fine introduction to all the APIs, programming techniques, and tips you will need to be successful with this standard.
Besides a useful guide to APIs, the book looks at a variety of techniques for saving session state, as well as showing how Servlets can work together to power Web sites. You will learn performance tips and ways to get Servlets to work together (like forwarding and redirection), plus the basics of database programming with JDBC, to build content with `live` data. A later chapter examines what's next for Servlets with the emerging Servlet 2.3 API standard. Importantly, the authors go over deploying and configuring Web applications by editing XML files, a must-have for successfully running Servlets in real applications.
Since the first edition of this title, the choices for Java Web developers have grown much richer. Many of the new chapters in this edition look at options beyond Servlets. Short sections on application frameworks such as Tea, WebMacro, the Element Construction Set (ECS), XMLC, and JavaServer Pages (JSP) let you explore what's out there for Java developers today with a survey of some current tools that can speed up creating new Web applications.
The text closes with reference sections on Servlet APIs (and other material) that will be useful for any working developer. Although Servlets are not the only game in town, they are still important tools for successful Web development. This updated edition shows you just how to do it with plenty of basic and advanced tips for taking full advantage of this powerful Java standard. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Overview and history of Java Servlets Fundamentals of HTTP Web applications (including deployment and configuration using XML files) The Servlet lifecycle (initializing, processing requests, cleanup, and caching) Multimedia content (images and compressed content) WAP and WML for wireless content Servlet session tracking techniques (hidden form fields, cookies, and URL rewriting) Security issues with Servlets (including certificates and SSL) Tutorial for JDBC and Java database programming Using applets and Servlets together Servlet collaboration Quick introduction to Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Internationalization issues Survey of third-party Servlet application frameworks and tools: Tea, WebMacro, the Element Contruction Set (ECS), XMLC, and JavaServer Pages (JSP) Miscellaneous tips for Servlets (including sending e-mail and using regular expressions) Description of the new Servlet 2.3 API spec Servlet API quick reference
User review
Excellent book on Servlets and Java
If you do not understand servlets and program in Java this book is for you. I found it very easy to read and comprehend right off the bat. The examples are excellent and you will get off writing servlets very quickly. It is somewhat shallow in complex examples but then again how complex are servlets. Some best practices and commercial examples could have helped a lot.
User review
Excellent in-depth book
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) .
User review
Nicely Done
This book's examples in later chapters may be a bit much for the beginner, but it does a good job of covering thing very well. Good coverage of various protocols, etc.
User review
ok book, not the best tutorial
I found this book to be semi helpful. It would have been nice if it was more tutorial like. The examples also were not the most straightforward. The book does cover alot though.
User review
OK for beginners
I wouldn't say this is an excellent book, but it's not bad. The book covers good fundamentals in its first 8 chapters for those beginning Servlets. The book also covers some useful information on JDBC and Java Server Pages. There's also some additional coverage on Applet-Servlet communication, Internationalization and Tea & WebMacro application frameworks. However some topics like JavaBeans, SSL, Filters, deployment descriptors and XML were too brief and should have been given some depth. Another dissappointment is that all examples are based on API 2.2 but not 2.3!!. The Appendix just touches on new features of API 2.3 with also a separate listing of API 2.3.
It's been 8 mths since I purchased this book. I'd suggest that starters either wait for the next edition or get something that is based on Servlet API 2.3.
