The Google Web Toolkit is a new technology that automatically translates Java into JavaScript, making Ajax applications easier to code and deploy. `GWT in Action` is a comprehensive tutorial for Java developers interested in building the next generation of rich, web-based applications. This book was written by Robert Hanson, creator of the popular GWT Widget Library and Adam Tacy a major contributor to the GWT Widget Library.
There is a new emphasis on building rich, web-based applications. These applications can be difficult to build because they rely on JavaScript, which lacks the sophisticated object-oriented structures and static typing of Java, they are tricky to debug, and they require you to manage numerous browser inconsistencies.
In May of 2006 Google released the Google Web Toolkit (GWT). GWT enables developers to create Ajax applications in Java. With GWT, you can build your applications using a real object-oriented language and take advantage of Java tools like Eclipse that are already available. Instead of trying to bring tool support to Ajax, Google brought Ajax to a place where the tools already existed.
`GWT in Action` shows you how to take advantage of these exciting new tools. Readers will follow an example running throughout the book and quickly master the basics of GWT: widgets, panels, and event handling. The book covers the full development cycle, from setting up your development environment, to building the application, then deploying it to the web server. The entire core GWT library is discussed, with details and examples on how it can be extended.
GWT helps you make the most of Ajax in your web applications and `GWT in Action` helps you get moreout of GWT. Readers can download Early Access Chapters of `GWT in Action` now and participate in the Author Forum by visiting at the Manning site.
User review
Very disappointing as time goes on
I was looking for a book to give a rapid introduction to GWT. I have a lot of experience with JAVA GUI and hard core javascript so I was hoping to find something that I could use not only an introduction but also as a reference. Initially I found it good as it had a pretty good write up on JSNI. However, I find myself more and more disappointed as I try and use it as a reference. The examples are partial. The book provides examples on how to do something which at first glance seem fine, but then when you try to use them you realize the setup is missing so additional research is needed. Also, things that should be covered in detail are not. Examples:
1. GWT history. Vaguely talks about how to record it but not how to handle it (History.addValueChangeHandler is not mentioned)
2. Properties. The section on providing and extending properties is exceedingly confusing. I didn't have the time to try and make sense of it and went elsewhere for information.
Unfortunately it took me too long to find out how crappy this book so I can't send it back to get my money back. As I've paid for it I will still attempt to use it as a reference when I need to, but I suspect before long it will end up gathering dust with the other out of date books that I can't bare to throw out and the crappy books I've bought over the years that I try and justify ownership of.
User review
Good Book, Easy To Follow
I started to learn about GWT for the first time about 6 months ago, and this was one of three GWT textbooks that I purchased (The others were GWT In Practice and Google Web Toolkit Applications).
Overall, I used GWT In Action as a book to go to when GWT In Practice was a little harder to understand. GWT In Practice teaches GWT, but at a faster pace and using stronger software development techniques. When I needed to dive in deeper to a specific subject, GWT In Action was the perfect book.
I found the explanations easy, straight to the point, and very thorough - something which wasn't quite the same in other textbooks. Whereas GWT In Action may not be an advanced textbook in creating commercial applications, it is a perfect intro book to get the core concepts learned thoroughly and well.
The textbook is a little dated now, and the sample applications show it. However, as of the time of this review, most of the material is still perfectly relevant. There are some new features / objects available in GWT now that were not before, but all the old ones are still there. The textbook is not too outdated - it's still worth the purchase if you want a thorough coverage of the core GWT features.
Simply put - an easy to understand, thorough book on GWT.
User review
Impressive writing
I was very impressed with the quality of the writing as well as the depth of coverage. The authors explain them well and it is easy to follow the examples. I especially liked the fact that authors present GWT code using design pattern, e.g. Facade - I was able to re-factor my own code.
Using this book, I was able to teach myself GWT and also successfully build a GWT based Ajax application at work.
User review
Excellent practical introduction to GWT
I am starting with GWT with this book after using various internet tutorials. The book proved really helpful to get me started. As an added bonus, the authors really like to write and provide small yet inspiring examples which you can download and test yourself.
Some reviewer criticized the order of the chapters. I did not have any problems with that - there is a very useful short introduction in the beginning. I could jump ahead to interesting chapters like RPC without any problem.
User review
Book Review: GWT In Action
I would recommend this book for web developers currently writing web applications in any language and who are looking to add Ajax to their application. Although Java back ends benefit the greatest from GWT with GWT-RPC, JSON, a lightweight data format, can be used and so ASP.NET, PHP, Perl CGI, etc. can be used. Also a great reference guide for those currently using GWT. Here is a more detailed review (and a shameless plug for my blog): http://www.jlhdevelopment.com/wordpress/?p=6
Also check out this title coming out soon: GWT in Practice
