Murach's Java Servlets and JSP

by Joel Murach, Michael Urban

Why you'll learn faster and better with this book Like all our books, this one has features that you won't find in competing books. Here, though, are a few of the features that are unique to this book: Chapter 2 shows how to use the MVC pattern (or Model 2 architecture) to get the most from JSPs and servlets. From that point on, you'll use servlets when they're appropriate and JSPs when they're appropriate. As a result, you won't waste your time learning how to use servlets for tasks that should be handled by JSPs, or vice versa. Chapter 3 shows how to use the NetBeans IDE with a Tomcat server to develop web applications on your own computer. By using this IDE, you'll learn faster and better than you would without one. In contrast, most competing books let you figure this out on your own. Chapter 4 provides a crash course in HTML5 and CSS3. Since this is essential background for the use of JSPs, this means you won't have to use a second book to figure out how HTML and CSS work. Like all of our books, this one includes dozens of examples that range from the simple to the complex. That way, you can quickly see how a feature works from the simple examples, but you'll also see how the feature is used in more complex, real-world examples, including the complete e-commerce application that's presented in section 5.

Genres: Programming, Computer Science, Reference, Technical, Nonfiction

766 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2008

Reviews

[Pallavi Sonal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an awesome book to begin learning Servlets and JSP. The main reason I liked this book is because of its hands on approach. It gives you enough practice on each and every topic. You can type the entire examples yourself or you can download the chapter wise examples and play on it. The exercises give enough of practice and revision of the topics covered. The concept of presenting theory one one page and code and summary on adjacent is really great. It gives a good way to recollect and revise by just going through the code and summary part, rather than going through entire book again.
I loved the book and wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to learn JSP and Servlets.

[Clay Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've looked at a number of Java Servlets / JSP books, and Murach's is the only one I found very useful - I absolutely love it. Well laid out, interesting, and informative

[Larry Xu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The explanation was crystal clear. I liked the organization of this book because you can skip those things that you have already known. Even if you don't have prior knowledge about certain things such as HTML and CSS, this book helps you speed up your learning process. However, it requires that readers have to understand basics about JAVA. The code example is practical.

[Frank Palardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to review this. Still some out there!

[Jeanne Boyarsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Murach's Java Servlets and JSPs” third edition looks and reads like a Murach book. This is good. It's always nice when a book delivers what you are expecting. If you haven't read a Murach book before, it is a book meant for beginners. On each set of pages, the left side is text and the right is code/diagrams/references. Each chapter ends with very detailed exercises.

The book begins with the basics but doesn't limit itself to raw servlets and JSP. Chapter 1 explains how Spring and JSF fit into the picture. The book even covers JSF (but not Spring.) I wasn't expecting either to even be mentioned, so this is a nice bonus.

The book tries to cover real world concepts. There was a good bit about security including XSS and SQL injection. I would have liked other security techniques to be alluded to like CSRF. That might be too much to expect in a beginner book though. I haven't seen a beginner book cover XSS before either.

The book is up to date. It includes Java 8, HTML 5, CSS and even MVC. Any self respecting Servlet/JSP book should cover MVC of course. There were good disclaimers of when you should/shouldn't do something. Like that you shouldn't use scriptlets.

There was only one piece of advice I disagreed with in the book – using the Tomcat lib directory. I asked the author about that during the CodeRanch book promotion and he explained that he doesn't endorse that practice and will word it more clearly in the next edition. I'm satisfied with that answer. I also wish he covered tag files. Tag files rock. Minor things that I miss.

Noticing a theme? I'm happy with the book. It covers more than I expected so it whet my appetite for more. It highly recommend this book as your first Java web development book.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing this review on behalf of CodeRanch.

[Ahmed Attyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best book to learn jsp & servlets, very clear way to explain jsp & servlets, many helpful projects that helps you to apply what you learned, this is the first book i read in murach's series, and definitely knew why murach's books always have high ratings & reviews, i recommend it for everyone who wants to learn jsp & servlets

[Wafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a very good and helpful book. i enjoy reading it.

[Delhi Irc]

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