web programming

"Java Enterprise in a Nutshell" is a good quick reference guide to the entire J2EE platform for intermediate-level Java developers, and the 2nd Edition seems very up-to-date with J2EE 1.3. The book is a lot larger than other 'in a nutshell' books, mainly because there is such a huge amount of information to be covered for the J2EE platform. It is divided into two main sections - the "Introduction" section, which gives an overview of all the major J2EE technologies, and the API-reference, which I found to just be a rehash of what is in the online Javadoc API. The Introduction it easy to understand and straight-to-the-point for the intermediate Java developer, giving good examples of how to use the technologies. I found it to be a good guide to quickly learn some of the technologies I was not very familiar with. (but needed to use right away...) I did not use the API reference, but it could be useful for understanding the basic purposes of each package and class. It does not go into the method-by-method detail that the online Javadoc has.

This most recent 'in a nutshell' offering from O'Reilly hardly seems like it'll fit into a nutshell, at least not any nutshell I've ever seen. Despite the increase in size (almost double the size of the 1st edition), this book still manages to deliver a concise introduction to Enterprise Java. Part of the increase is the addition of chapters on JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail. Many of the chapters carried over from the 1st edition have been updated to the most recent specifications; JDBC 2.0, Servlets 2.2 and 2.3, and JSP 1.2.

The entire book is an excellent reference to Enterprise Java, I would not advise it as the only book you have on the subject because it is very concise and an alternative source with different explanations would be very helpful (you can say that about almost any programming book though, so that is hardly a failing). The condensed API at the end of the book is very helpful and its expanded explanations of the different APIs makes it easier to understand them, as opposed to going straight from the Java Docs.

Packed with both snippets and full length, compilable code, the examples are very helpful and help to illustrate all of the key concepts of Enterprise Java and go along way to improving the readers understanding. Even if you already have the first edition the additional, and updated, content made this second edition a valuable edition to my reference collection. However, if you've already got the first edition and have additional references for some of the added material (JSP, XML, JMS, and Java Mail) then you probably don't need this book, unless you want it all together in one place.

Another large and impressive manual to add to your collection. This title is meant to be the third volume of a three-volume set that covers the entire language. Volume one covers the basic core Java APIs, while volume two covers the foundation classes.

Of the three volumes that make up this Nutshell series, this is the one that you'll be able to bypass if you're just moving into the world of Java. I think that even experienced programmers might end up heavily using some chapters while never touching others. The format is the same as other Nutshell volumes, where there is a lot of detail with not a lot of fluffy explanation.

Each of the Part 1 chapters give a quick overview and tutorial as to what the technology is (such as JavaServer Pages) and how it works. There are some examples of code to help you understand how it works. But the authors acknowledge that they do not expect you to be an expert after reading that chapter. You have to either already know what's going on or seek out another book to more fully learn and understand what is going on. O'Reilly has a vast array of books that go into each of these subjects in a more detailed manner.

For Notes/Domino 5 developers, I would say that there is little in this book that would be of value to you. You might be interested in JDBC as a replacement/supplement to ODBC. The XML chapter with information on parsers might also be of interest. Moving into the Notes/Domino 6 world, more of the book becomes valuable. Those chapters would include the information on servlets and JavaServer Pages. As Notes/Domino becomes more tightly integrated with Websphere, you'll need to start understanding servlets and how they function. This book could be a good tool to help you build them.

Conclusion
If you're an advanced Java developer and are working on enterprise Java applications, get this book. If you're a Notes/Domino developer looking to move into servlets, JavaServer Pages, and XML, you should also get this book. If you don't fit into either of these categories, you probably won't do much with this volume.