Advanced Java Networking (2nd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs-up...
Review: a very good starting introduction to a varity of advanced subjects. The book uses the very useful method of developing one example through the book with different ways.

I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book before doing network programming in Java!
Review: Before buying this book, I think it's important to understand that this book is not intended to make you an expert on any particular networking technology. It is more intended to give you an overview of all of the networking options (eg RMI, JDBC, Sockets, IDL, JINI) available, so that you are capable of making informed decisions about which technology is the best to use in different situations.

The book does an excellent job at giving an overview of many different technologies. It gives you enough information to be able to use the technology all of those technologies, but doesn't give you enough information to make yourself an expert at all of them.

In addition, there's an overview of basic networking concepts such as TCP/IP and UDP.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anybody who wants to know more about what networking options are available, or to those who just want to play with different networking technologies.

Rating:
Summary: Concrete example of missing/inaccurate content
Review: Chapter 5, Java RMI, Callbacks: callbacks are a tricky part of RMI usage. I was hoping that the book would be helpful...

The callback example shown in the book is not on the CD. That may not be a bad thing as the code shown doesnt work. On page 148 the authors show a class that extends an interface - this is not legal java syntax. On page 149 they have class which extends the rmi.remote class. However, this is an interface and cannot be extended, only implemented.

I havent "drilled down" to this level on the other topics, but this is a disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Dont buy this book
Review: I bought this book about 9 months ago to help me do the Java 2 Developer Certification. It provides an excellent reference to help you write programs using almost any networking technology. I still refer to it when I need to write any sort of networking program. Buy this book, trust me... you will never look at any of the networking tutorials on java.sun.com again.

Rating:
Summary: Do not waste your time if you're interested in RMI
Review: On the positive side, the author does a great job of explaining some complex topics in very clear down to earth terms. The clarity and style of the book is excellent. However, the number of errors is horrible. I already knew the material in several chapters, but I read them for review. I was shocked to discover error after error. In some cases, it was just misleading, in other cases it was blatantly wrong. If you just want to better understand the technologies and you are willing to deal with some errors, then this book is a good choice. But, if you want to make sure you understand exactly how the technologies work (and not be misled,) then stay away from this book.

Rating:
Summary: Compares sockets, RMI, CORBA, and JDBC
Review: The strength of this book is its breadth. An example application, called Calendar Manager, is implemented for each of the technologies such as sockets, Java RMI, Java IDL (CORBA), and JDBC. These choices are summarized and compared in chapter 14, "Making an Architectural Decision". In addition, there are chapters on Java server pages, Java Beans, Jini, Java Management API (JMX/JMAPI), LDAP directory services, and Java security. The content and tone-of-voice have an introductory flavor. The word "advanced" could be eliminated from the title.

The analogies in the book sound condescending and amateur. An example appears in the Java IDL chapter on page 204, "All this is analogous to an ordinary table lamp. There are several lamps in your home, all of which implement the same interface-namely `turn on' and `turn off'. Just because they all implement the same interface doesn't mean that they all must be the same lamp. Indeed, you need many lamps; otherwise, you would trip on your shoes as you went to bed. ... ".

Rating:
Summary: Too much extranious material
Review: This book would be a good introduction if every sample were not full of errors. It makes the samples difficult to read and understand for a beginner and useless for an advanced developer.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste money on this book
Review: This is a wateful book. I went through this book to work on an RMI project that i had undertaken. The RMI chapter has examples that are full of errors. The section on CALLBACKS is all wrong and just will not work correctly.

Absolute waste of money if you bought it.