The practical, succinct focus here on actual Java enterprise APIs helps distinguish this text from the pack. Early sections provide short, clear examples along with just enough background to help you use APIs like JDBC, servlets and JSPs, EJBs and others. Coverage of Java's ability to interface with legacy CORBA systems is just excellent here, with a full tour of Java IDL, CORBA services and Remote Method Invocation (RMI). Typically, readers will be familiar with some J2EE APIs and not others. This book can help fill in the gaps.

Updated with the latest standards from Sun including JDBC 3.0, Servlet 2.3 and EJB 2.0, this is an essential primer of today's high-end (and high-paying) Java. The basic presentation of servlets/JSP and EJBs (among the most important APIs for current Java Web development) are concise and nicely digestible. We also liked the chapter on JMS for messaging (also a hotbed of Java job activity).

The second half of this text lists every J2EE class along with methods and properties in a very valuable reference making good use of two-toned shading for easy access. Entries are organised by package name. (One small oversight here is that an index of cross-listed packages, classes and methods omits page numbers.)

Overall, this reference material will serve as truly indispensable for any working Java programmer. The second edition of Java Enterprise in a Nutshell is a fully up-to-date tutorial and reference that lives up to the standards of O'Reilly's Nutshell series. Both thorough and concise, it's a handy resource for anyone who works with the hundreds and thousands of Java enterprise APIs on a regular basis. --Richard Dragan

Must buy.

- Vikram
www.FaeLLe.com


Not as deep as some, but great value for money   September 1, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

One of the seemingly endless "in a Nutshell" series from O'Reilly, this book follows the basic series format. A few chapters of concise introduction followed by a detailed, if compressed, API reference. In this case the book covers a lot of ground - all the Java APIs which form part of the Java 2 Enterprise Edition: JDBC, RMI, CORBA, JNDI, Servlets, EJB as well as some material on JMS. Check which edition you get as the information dates quickly, though.

I was worried when I bought this book that they were attempting to cover too much, but I think they have done a remarkable job. This book really is the most readable introduction to J2EE I have found so far. It's just about small enough to carry about (unlike the massive Wrox tomes), and the API reference can help to keep it useful after you've absorbed the introductory material. It even has a basic SQL reference, which you don't get in some JDBC books!


Exactly as the title says   August 21, 2001
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Very good book, however perhaps needs updating for inclusion of JSP's and JMS. I especially liked the SQL reference.


A good overview of Enterprise subjects   May 16, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

If you want to get a quick overview of what's involved in the Java Enterprise then this book covers most of it. Brief - and you'll probably need to refer to more in depth sources to expand on any of the subjects as each subject is covered in just one chapter. Can get wordy.


A quick reference masterpiece - but does not stand alone.   January 21, 2000
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Java Enterprise in a Nutshell contains the standard treatment from O'Reilly of its subject. A "must-have" for enterprise developers who prefer paper, rather than on-line, documentation. The book describes itself as "an indispensable quick reference", and this is exactly what it is - the descriptions are cursory, but the quick reference section is a masterpiece, and every reference book should have indexes like the two in this book. The book is excellent value as a memory jogger for practising developers, but for beginners, students and the answers to detailed questions, use a different book.