Programming with Enterprise JavaBeans, Jts, and OTS: Building Distributed Transactions with Java and C++

I always read the standard first as it is the definitive reference ( as I recall I have done that for several months now over and over I believe). I just finished reading the Vogel & Rangaro's book and I realised it would have saved a lot of my pondering over all the implications stemming from the EJB JTS/OTS architecture. It is a very good book especially for the ones that have prior CORBA experience. I did not like some pictures implying that containers live outside (or next to) server entities (like 5.1) but that is a minor implementation defined issue. Other than that it is a _highly_ recommended reading. Five stars on my side. No doubt. That is my personal view.

This book tackles OTM's and JTS. Which are the challenging parts of EJB, rather than a re-ieration of the old 1.0 spec. (a.k.a. Valesky)

This book could not have come at a better time then now. Since, Internet technology and distributed computing in general is being accepted in the IT industry. The book starts out covering concepts and issues fundamental to distributed computing and gradually takes the reader through the specific details of Enterprise Java Beans, JTS, CORBA OTS and many other very useful design patterns. Finally, the book concludes with an actual application using Enterprise JavaBeans covering Stateless, Statefull and Entity Beans. The authors did a remarkable job of leaving out the extraneous details while maintaining the completeness and continuity of material covered. I am a "Picture Person", I found the book to be rich in useful illustrations. I would highly recommend the readings and comprehension of the first two parts, followed by trying out the third and final part of building the application. It will bring the whole picture in sharp focus.

I've always found Andreas Vogel's books to be technically sound and good views of complex technology. Sorting out all the hype and promises about EJB was getting tiresome. This was the only book I have found to fully explain how to go about programming transactions using these technologies. A great book that I will refer to again and again.