Wicked Cool Java: Code Bits, Open-Source Libraries, and Project Ideas

Are you a Java developer who is looking for interesting and useful APIs or for project ideas? If you are, you're in luck! Author Brian Eubanks, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that will help you enhance your code. Eubanks, begins by discussing some of the core API features--some that are older, but less well known and some that are new to Java 5. Then, he discusses String processing techniques. The author continues by showing you how to process XML and HTML documents and other types of structured text. Next, he explores the Semantic Web, a next-generation web where the links are between concepts rather than documents containing text. Then, the author explores scientific and mathematical applications in Java. He continues with a discussion on how APIs make it easier to develop graphical applications or to add new features. Next, he deals with sound and music APIs; as well as, advanced thread synchronization. Finally, he looks at miscellaneous open-source projects and discusses ideas for creating your own projects and integrating code. Not intended as a basic tutorial by the author, this excellent book will help developers and system architects capitalize on their preexisting knowledge and take advantage of everything the programming language has to offer. Filled with example code, this book will definitely be a welcome find for anyone who enjoys experimenting with Java code--and, who wants to make their code wicked cool.

OK, I admit it .. I've become jaded like most Java programmers. Ruby, Python, Groovy .. wow, all those "agile" languages making Java so, I don't know, .. so 90's right? Wrong! Bring me your sad Java hackers, .. give them this book .. and wham! .. they'll be back on line, humming like happy campers. Read this book.

Brian D. Eubanks' WICKED COOL JAVA: CODE BITS, OPEN-SOURCE LIBRARIES, AND PROJECT IDEAS is for Java coders who want to tweak and streamline the code they use. Here's an idea sourcebook offering over a hundred tips, examples and project ideas, from working with Semantic Web and converting a non-XML text structure using a parser generator to working with open-source class libraries and reusuing codes based on free Java projects. Essential for any experienced Java programmer who wants more.

Most technical books cover a specific topic; JSP, JDBC, the Java language, or something like that. This book is different. It's a grab bag of wide ranging topics. These range from regular expressions, to RSS parsing, to audio processing. What I like about that is the inspiration it brings. That kind of "I can do that with Java, cool!" type experience. That being said, it's tough to recommend it as a book everyone should read. You should have a look at the table of contents to see if there is enough in it to justify the purchase.