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Most Java books rely on the free command-line Java compiler shipped with Sun’s Java 2 SDK. This text bucks the trend with a focus on using the power of JBuilder to create simple applets and applications. Beginning with setting up the JBuilder tool, its wizards and code editors are used to jump-start this introductory tutorial. There are 21 chapters (called "skills") that highlight particular JBuilder tasks, like using the wizards to create basic applets (and applications). One section of note here provides an easily digestible tour of Java language basics. Early chapters also give you the basics of drawing and file I/O APIs.
Basic applets that do simple animations and provide simple user interfaces with Swing components are the rule here. Several chapters dig into the details of creating (and consuming) custom JavaBeans for clients. While this is arguably an old-fashioned approach to learning Java, as client-side JavaBeans have been eclipsed by server-side Java, over the past few years the benefit of this approach is that newbies will begin to code with re-usable components early on. Subsequent chapters look at adding bean persistence (using serialisation APIs) property editors and other more advanced features with beans.
Later chapters extend the range of options for basic Java programmers with a look at deployment, menus and toolbars. This text circles back to the JBuilder environment with sections on customising the IDE, creating custom code templates and other productivity-boosters. Final sections look at JBuilder 6 features for the enterprise, notably built-in UML support and EJB wizards.
The presentation, style and hands-on approach to using JBuilder’s wizards to do more, and quicker, will make basic Java programming more accessible to a wider range of readers seeking to tackle this popular programming language for the first time. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Introductory tutorial for Java using the JBuilder 6 IDE; installing and registering JBuilder 6; tour of basic IDE features (including project, applet, and application wizards); tutorial to basic Java syntax (data types, strings, classes, variables, and methods); exception handling, basic applet programming (including animation, sound, and multithreading support); basic Swing controls for user interface programming; layout managers (including XYLayout); basic drawing techniques using the Java2D APIs; file I/O APIs explained; tutorial for client-side JavaBeans, built-in beans, and the JBuilder Component Palette; creating custom beans (with properties, methods, and events); using bean introspection and custom property editors; serialisation and bean persistence; Java deployment with JAR files; menu support (plus using the built-in dialog boxes for choosing colours and fonts); using toolbars, internationalisation (including resource bundling); customising the JBuilder environment (with project defaults and code templates); using code obfuscation; debugging multi-threaded programs (the JBuilder debugger); introduction to JBuilder Professional and Enterprise features (including UML support and EJB wizards).
It is a beginners book I know, but the content of each topic is so brief and general that there's little to be of any practical use in the real world. It seems to be aimed at the 'home' programmer, dabbling with Java for fun.
Oddly enough, there's a chapter on Internationalization. Anyone who's ever internationalized an application will know that this is not a topic for beginners.
I doubt that there's anything in this book that can't be found on Sun's website or in the JBuilder manuals.
I found this book explains Java Bean in very detail under Jbuilder 6 environment,and it spends 1/3 of the book about this. If you like to learn Java Bean under JBuilder, this book is for you.
Besides Java Bean, the debugging multithreaded programs (the JBuilder debugger) chapter give you a good knowledge for how to debug Java program in Jbuilder.
However, I have one complain about the chapter
"Introduction Builder Professional and Enterprise features (including UML support and EJB wizards)"
I understand it is a introduction level chapter, but I expect there is at least one CODE example to show how to do the Hello world EJB under JBuilder. However, this book does not...
I would like to give 5 stars to this book, but the EJB chapter makes me to deduct 1 star from it.
The biggest problem I see is to teach Java with the Enterprise version of JBuilder 6. Even if you write the simplest code such as Hello World, JBuilder 6 automatically add about two pages of advanced codes for you, none of which is understandable by the book's brief explanations. But even if I try the source code in the "black box" style, it still doesn't work because the book doesn't give the whole code of any program. It just gives you bits to add to the pages of stuff JBuilder 6 does for you. My problem is, the book doesn't say where to put the bits, and when I try to put it somewhere I think best, the program won't compile, and debugging explanations are way too hard just because everything is so advanced. I felt like a baby learning to walk but was put in a plane's cockpit being taught how to fly.
The book doesn't really mean to teach anybody Java. In the first few chapters it covered the basic Java concepts with incredible speed and almost no examples. It is definitely in a bad hurry to get to Java Beans, where it dwelled for the longest time.
Another problem I experienced is the JBuilder 6 that came with the book is supposed to be a 30 day trial for the Enterprise version that is supposed to turn into the personal verion afterwards. Well, mine didn't. After 30 days, it just said "license expired" and refused to open no matter what I did. To make it worse, both the author and the publisher are very careful to make sure you can't contact them for anything, unlike Sam's book.
I since learned Java successfully with Sam's book Teach yourself Java 1.2 in 21 days complete compiler edition, which is also sold on amazon.com. It includes JBuilder 2 is old but very easy to use and doesn't pack your source code with any stuff, so what you type in is what you get, and one click on the run button and everything runs great. I am sure the experts will find the Enterprise version better, but for me, it is just way too hard. I recommend Sam's book instead of this one.
Instructional value of the book: 5 stars.
the instructions of this book are well structured and provides easy steps for the user to accomplish the things mentioned in the text book.
Reference value of the book:3
This book is a beginners book and soon will not be useful for experienced users of Jbuilder.
This book is a well done book that teaches Java to a beginner like me and also the nuances of the Jbuilder tool. The chapters are organized in a structured fashion.
It also teaches the users how ot develop simple applets using the tool and the use of Swing and AWT. The book delves into some advanced topics such as multi threading, and menu creation in the later portions of the book.
The author is a well respected Java respected and an authority in Java; the book is an excellent book and I would like thank the author for providing readers like me with a great book to learn Java and Jbuilder.
