------------------------------------------------------------- Below is the June 2002 issue of the Prentice Hall PTR (PHPTR) PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING E-NEWSLETTER To unsubscribe, or to sign up for additional lists, stop by our mailroom: http://www.phptr.com/mail_lists/index.html ------------------------------------------------------------- PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING ### PHPTR News TABLE OF CONTENTS: Featured PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING Titles... * ADVANCED SOAP FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT by Dan Livingston * MORE SERVLETS AND JAVASERVER PAGES by Marty Hall * ENTERPRISE JAVABEANS COMPONENT ARCHITECTURE: DESIGNING AND CODING ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS by Gail Anderson and Paul Anderson * DEVELOPING EJB 2.0 COMPONENTS by Pravin V. Tulachan * THE COMPLETE C# TRAINING COURSE by Deitel et al. * THE COMPLETE VISUAL BASIC .NET TRAINING COURSE by Harvey M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, and Tem R. Nieto * CORE LEGO MINDSTORMS PROGRAMMING: UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE JAVA PLATFORM by Brian Bagnall * SOFTWARE RADIO: A MODERN APPROACH TO RADIO ENGINEERING by Jeffrey H. Reed * INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL BASIC USING .NET by Dana L. Wyatt and Robert J. Oberg * .NET ARCHITECTURE AND PROGRAMMING USING VISUAL C++ by Peter Thorsteinson and Robert J. Oberg * FUNDAMENTALS OF WEB APPLICATIONS USING .NET AND XML by Bell et al. * SUN CERTIFIED ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT FOR J2EE TECHNOLOGY STUDY GUIDE by Mark Cade and Simon Roberts * RADICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT by Rob Thomsett * BETTER SOFTWARE FASTER by Andy Carmichael and Dan Haywood * PLANNING SMARTER: CREATING BLUEPRINT-QUALITY SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS by Tyson Gill * APPLIED STATISTICS FOR SOFTWARE MANAGERS by Katrina D. Maxwell * OBJECT-ORIENTED DEFECT MANAGEMENT OF SOFTWARE by Houman Younessi * WIRELESS J2ME PLATFORM PROGRAMMING by Vartan Piroumian * DEFINITIVE XML APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT by Lars Marius Garshol * COBOL PROGRAMMING USING THE .NET FRAMEWORK by Ronald D. Reeves * LEGACY SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIES by William M. Ulrich * CHECKERED FLAG PROJECTS: TEN RULES FOR CREATING AND MANAGING PROJECTS THAT WIN!, Second Edition by W. Alan Randolph and Barry Z. Posner * UDDI, SOAP, AND WSDL: THE WEB SERVICES SPECIFICATION REFERENCE BOOK by Aaron E. Walsh * WEBSPHERE VERSION 4 APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK by Ueli Wahli, Alex Matthews, Paula Coll Lapido, and Jean-Pierre Norguet * AN INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING WITH VISUAL BASIC .NET, Fifth Edition, by David I. Schneider * COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE: DESIGNING FOR PERFORMANCE, Sixth Edition by William Stallings * SQUEAK: OPEN PERSONAL COMPUTING AND MULTIMEDIA by Mark J. Guzdial and Kimberly M. Rose PHPTR News & Reviews... * Java Ranch raves about ADVANCED JAVA 2 PLATFORM HOW TO PROGRAM * JavaRanch reviews CORE JINI * Bertrand Meyer on "The Great Divide" Special Interests... * Browse our complete Software Engineering library Tradeshows... * Looking to see you soon Author events... * Meet our .NET authors Find a Bookstore... * Locate the best selection of PHPTR titles near you ------------------------------------------------------------------- PHPTR Featured PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING Titles ------------------------------------------------------------------- ADVANCED SOAP FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT by Dan Livingston 508 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-035655-7 Master SOAP fast! Concise, practical, and code-rich, best-selling author Dan Livingston teaches SOAP through real-world projects focused on the features you'll use most. Learn how to configure SOAP servers and clients; use SOAP with WSDL and UDDI; work with SOAP data types, encoding, and XML schema; troubleshoot SOAP errors and faultcodes; even use XML-RPC, SOAP's "smaller, faster brother". Livingston offers step-by-step, hands-on tutorials on setting up Web Services, SOAP servers and clients, Microsoft BizTalk servers, language binding, and more. Appendices compare SOAP with other distributed object technologies, preview its future, and list today's best tools for working with it. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130356557.html *** MORE SERVLETS AND JAVASERVER PAGES by Marty Hall 752 pp., Paper, $49.99 ISBN: 0-13-067614-4 A companion to the worldwide best seller "Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages," Marty Hall's new book shows how to use the latest advances in servlet and JSP technology. He starts with a fast introduction to basic servlet and JSP development, including session tracking, custom JSP tag libraries, and the use of the MVC architecture. He then covers the use and deployment of Web applications, declarative and programmatic security, servlet and JSP filters, life-cycle event listeners, new features for writing tag libraries, the standard JSP tag library (JSPTL), and much more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130676144.html *** ENTERPRISE JAVABEANS COMPONENT ARCHITECTURE: DESIGNING AND CODING ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS by Gail Anderson and Paul Anderson 456 pp., Paper, $49.99 ISBN: 0-13-035571-2 This book simplifies the creation of well-designed enterprise applications using the EJB 2.0 platform. Through detailed code examples, it introduces every key skill involved in creating components, stand-alone Java platform clients, and JavaServer Pages API clients. It presents powerful EJB platform design patterns for every type of bean - including message-driven beans - and shows exactly how to apply these patterns in real-world projects. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130355712.html *** DEVELOPING EJB 2.0 COMPONENTS by Pravin V. Tulachan 654 pp., Paper, $49.99 ISBN: 0-13-034863-5 This is your hands-on, "nuts and bolts" guide to real-world Enterprise JavaBeans architecture 2.0 and J2EE technology (Rel. 1.3) development. You won't just master bean development: you'll learn how to leverage Release 1.3's powerful facilities to maximize the functionality and robustness of every EJB architecture component you create. Coverage includes message-driven beans, JNDI and RMI-IIOP integration, design, architecture, deployment, migration from EJB 1.1 technology, and much more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130348635.html *** THE COMPLETE C# TRAINING COURSE by Deitel et al. Box, $109.99 ISBN: 0-13-064584-2 Created by leading authors and corporate trainers Deitel & Associates, this hands-on, interactive training course combines the world's #1 C# training CD-ROM, _The C# Multimedia Cyber Classroom_, and the leading C# textbook, _C# How to Program_. Start with an overview of object-oriented programming with C#; then learn GUI development, ADO.NET database access, and ASP.NET WebForms and Web Services. This course also covers networking, security, data structures, assemblies, performance tuning, and more. With this unique combination of expert audio commentary and thousands of lines of fully tested sample C# program code, you also get print and electronic versions of an outstanding C# textbook. This allows you to use full-text searching, hyperlinking and more. You'll master C# development faster than you ever thought possible. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130645842.html For the book only: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130622214.html *** THE COMPLETE VISUAL BASIC .NET TRAINING COURSE by Harvey M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, and Tem R. Nieto Box, $109.99 ISBN: 0-13-042530-3 Created by leading corporate trainers Deitel & Associates, this hands-on, interactive training course includes the Visual Basic .NET training CD-ROM, _The Visual Basic .NET Multimedia Cyber Classroom_, and the leading Visual Basic .NET textbook, _Visual Basic .NET How to Program, Second Edition_. You'll start with an overview of Microsoft's .NET platform and how Visual Basic .NET fits into it, then master syntax, objects, classes, inheritance, events, delegates, exceptions, WebForms, Web Services, WinForms, and much more. With its unique combination of live code, expert audio commentary, and in-depth online and printed explanations, this package will help you master Visual Basic .NET development faster than you ever thought possible. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130425303.html For the book only: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130293636.html *** CORE LEGO MINDSTORMS PROGRAMMING: UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE JAVA PLATFORM by Brian Bagnall 560 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-009364-5 LEGO Mindstorms robots can do more than you ever imagined! The secret: go beyond the built-in tools and leverage the power of Java. This book shows you how, step by step. Working from beautifully rendered 3-D plans and photographs, you'll construct five unique robots. You'll master advanced proximity and compass sensors, even master MIT's new breakthrough in robotics: behavior control programming. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130093645.html *** SOFTWARE RADIO: A MODERN APPROACH TO RADIO ENGINEERING by Jeffrey H. Reed 590 pp., Cloth, $89 ISBN: 0-13-081158-0 Software-based approaches enable engineers to build wireless system radios that are easier to manufacture, more flexible, and more cost-effective. This book systematically reviews the techniques, challenges, and tradeoffs of DSP software radio design. Coverage includes constructing RF front-ends; using digital processing to overcome RF design problems; direct digital synthesis of modulated waveforms; A/D and D/A conversions; smart antennas; object-oriented software design; and choosing among DSP microprocessors, FPGAs, and ASICs. This is an excellent book for all RF and signal processing engineers building advanced wireless systems. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130811580.html *** INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL BASIC USING .NET by Dana L. Wyatt and Robert J. Oberg 704 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-041804-8 Using real-world examples and a detailed case study, this book helps you master VB.NET from the ground up, or rapidly migrate from VB6. The authors introduce the .NET Framework and Visual Studio.NET from the VB developer's perspective, examine VB.NET's basic coding constructs, and thoroughly explore both object-oriented programming and Windows Forms development. They also cover ADO.NET, threads, collections, delegates, attributes, and much more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130418048.html *** .NET ARCHITECTURE AND PROGRAMMING USING VISUAL C++ by Peter Thorsteinson and Robert J. Oberg 704 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-065207-5 Leverage your Visual C++ skills in advanced .NET development. This book introduces the .NET Framework and programming model from the perspective of the Visual C++ developer, then presents breakthrough techniques for building maximum-performance applications. Through extensive examples and a book-length case study, it illuminates every facet of Visual C++ .NET development -- from data access to debugging, SOAP to security, managed code to COM/Win32 interoperability. The authors show how .NET can help Visual C++ developers achieve your Web development goals more effectively through Web Services. They describe the .NET framework, the Common Language Runtime, and the language-independent nature of .NET development, then introduce .NET's Managed Extensions for C++, which allow you to integrate new and legacy code simply and effectively. The book also includes detailed coverage on .NET graphical user interfaces, the Base Class Library, .NET security, component deployment and versioning, database programming using ADO.NET and XML, high-performance Web Services development, and SOAP. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130652075.html *** FUNDAMENTALS OF WEB APPLICATIONS USING .NET AND XML by Bell et al. 598 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-041790-4 This volume from the Integrated .NET Series from Object Innovations and Prentice Hall PTR provides thorough coverage of the entire process of building Web applications using .NET. It is intended for new and experienced Web developers. Using rich code examples, it covers the entire process of .NET Web development and all the relevant technologies, from ASP.NET to XML. The authors offer a concise review of traditional Web development, then demonstrate the value .NET adds for those building advanced Web applications and services. After introducing .NET's key languages, they present a straightforward migration path from current technologies to ASP.NET, ADO.NET, and VB.NET. Coverage includes the .NET framework and architecture; the role of XML, SOAP, and UDDI in .NET development; new techniques such as object remoting; and interoperability with non-.NET systems. The book's key concepts are tied together through a case study that is shared by other books in this series -- giving readers a jumpstart when they're ready for other books in the series. This book is essential for all experienced developers, software engineers, architects, and IT managers interested in building next-generation Web applications with Microsoft's .NET technologies. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130417904.html *** SUN CERTIFIED ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT FOR J2EE TECHNOLOGY STUDY GUIDE by Mark Cade and Simon Roberts 220 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-044916-4 This is the first Sun-authorized prep guide for the tough Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition Technology exams. Written by the exam's lead developers and assessors, it covers key J2EE architectural issues, exam objectives, and every exam element: multiple-choice, project, and essay. Coverage includes requirements, design patterns, legacy connectivity, messaging, EJBs, security, scalability, internationalization, and much more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130449164.html *** RADICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT by Rob Thomsett 378 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-009486-2 Welcome to XPM, the first radically new approach to project management in decades! Traditional project management is inward-looking, static, and doesnąt respond to rapid, constant change. XPM looks outward to stakeholders, management, and clients, and thoroughly involves them in an agile process that assumes everything will change. Rob Thomsett presents XPM from start to finish < and introduces every tool and technique you need to make it work in your organization. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130094862.html *** BETTER SOFTWARE FASTER by Andy Carmichael and Dan Haywood 372 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-008752-1 TogetherSoft's integrated lifecycle tools allow software teams to achieve breakthrough quality, efficiency, and performance. In this book, two leading Together experts share insights, examples, and techniques for succeeding with Together every step of the way: through planning, requirements, modeling, design, architecture, development, debugging, implementation, and beyond. Contains solutions for every team member: analysts, architects, designers, developers, and managers. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130087521.html *** PLANNING SMARTER: CREATING BLUEPRINT-QUALITY SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS by Tyson Gill 212 pp., Paperbound with CD, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-065414-0 This book demystifies software planning, cuts to the chase, and shows project team members exactly how to create higher quality, more useful specs - with less complexity - and less work! Bestselling author Tyson Gill presents a complete "lifecycle" blueprint for simplifying planning, reducing errors, improving communication, and establishing a rock-solid foundation for any development project. The book includes an exclusive CD-ROM that contains the powerful Software Blueprinter specification development application. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130654140.html *** OBJECT-ORIENTED DEFECT MANAGEMENT OF SOFTWARE by Houman Younessi 376 pp., Cloth, $59.99 ISBN: 0-13-060928-5 A systematic guide to defect identification, correction, and prevention in any object-oriented development project - regardless of methodology, notation, language, or size, this book covers every stage of the development process including planning, design, architecture, coding, and testing - and provides hands-on tools, templates, and checklists you can start using today. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130609285.html *** WIRELESS J2ME PLATFORM PROGRAMMING by Vartan Piroumian 400 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-044914-8 Written by one of the leading wireless application consultants at Sun, this is a step-by-step guide to successful wireless development with the J2ME platform. Vartan Piroumian illuminates every key feature of the J2ME platform, and the entire development process: planning, design, architecture, coding, user interface development, compilation, debugging, execution, provisioning, gateway integration, internationalization, application provisioning, and more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130449148.html *** DEFINITIVE XML APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT by Lars Marius Garshol 1207 pp., Paper, $49.99 ISBN: 0-13-088902-4 Leading XML developer Lars Marius Garshol covers every essential aspect of XML programming, from basic principles through advanced techniques, utilizing DOM, SAX, XSLT, XPath, schemas, and other key XML standards. He presents scores of code examples based on Python, a cross-platform language that is exceptionally well suited for XML development. He also provides new insights into XML application design and optimization, as well as complete sample applications. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130889024.html *** COBOL PROGRAMMING USING THE .NET FRAMEWORK by Ronald D. Reeves 332 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-066843-5 Leverage your COBOL skills in next-generation Microsoft .NET development and bring legacy applications into the Web-enabled future. Understand .NET from the COBOL developer's viewpoint and build advanced Web services using ASP.NET, WebForms, SOAP and WSDL. Learn how to develop object-oriented COBOL code with .NET extensions, enhance legacy systems with next-generation Windows interfaces, and more. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130668435.html Companion website: http://www.phptr.com/reeves *** LEGACY SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIES by William M. Ulrich 443 pp., Paper, $44.99 ISBN: 0-13-044927-X Leading IT and business architecture consultant William Ulrich presents a step-by-step, phased roadmap to legacy transformation that maximizes business value, while minimizing cost, disruption, and risk. Transformation strategies, organizing disciplines, techniques, and tools reduce the risks of deploying the component-based architectures you need to stay competitive while maximizing the business value of core systems that work. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_013044927X.html *** CHECKERED FLAG PROJECTS: TEN RULES FOR CREATING AND MANAGING PROJECTS THAT WIN!, Second Edition by W. Alan Randolph and Barry Z. Posner 170 pp., Cloth, $24 ISBN: 0-13-009399-8 This book teaches you outstanding project management skills - fast. Short, to the point, and full of great ideas, it identifies ten key rules that dramatically increase the likelihood of project success and shows exactly how to use those rules to win in any assignment. It delivers realistic solutions for every project, no matter how complex - from handling conflict to making the most of advanced project management technologies. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130093998.html *** UDDI, SOAP, AND WSDL: THE WEB SERVICES SPECIFICATION REFERENCE BOOK by Aaron E. Walsh 326 pp., Paper, $34.99 ISBN: 0-13-085726-2 UDDI, SOAP, and WSDL are the key specifications driving today's Web services revolution. This is the official text of all three - conveniently organized, formatted, fully indexed. A perfect companion to any book on Web services technology, this book will give you authoritative answers at your fingertips. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130857262.html *** WEBSPHERE VERSION 4 APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK by Ueli Wahli, Alex Matthews, Paula Coll Lapido, and Jean-Pierre Norguet 596 pp., Paper, $39.99 ISBN: 0-13-009225-8 This is the first systematic and authoritative guide to application development using IBM's WebSphere Version 4.0 platform. From advanced frameworks to automated testing, the authors present comprehensive best practices for streamlining and accelerating WebSphere development. Written by IBM's own WebSphere experts, it covers the entire development lifecycle: installation and configuration, application analysis and design, coding, security, testing, packaging, deployment, and administration. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130092258.html *** AN INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING WITH VISUAL BASIC .NET, Fifth Edition by David I. Schneider 736 pp., Paper, $66 ISBN: 0-13-030657-6 Written by best-selling author David I. Schneider, this updated version of the classic _An Introduction to Visual Basic_ assumes no prior programming experience and uses Visual Basic .NET to explore the fundamentals of programming. It includes important pedagogical features such as a thorough explanation of the fundamentals of accurate, modern programming methodology using the elements of Windows' graphical user interface, an entire chapter on database programming using ADO.NET and SQL, and presentation of object-oriented techniques throughout the book, which culminates in a complete chapter devoted to OOP. The book supplies many examples, projects, and exercises and a wealth of learning aids. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130306576.html *** COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE: DESIGNING FOR PERFORMANCE, Sixth Edition by William Stallings 840 pp., Paper, $100 ISBN: 0-13-035119-9 This book provides a clear, comprehensive presentation of the latest developments in the organization and architecture of modern-day computers, emphasizing both fundamental principles and the critical role of performance in driving computer design. A basic reference and companion for self-study, it conveys concepts through a wealth of concrete examples highlighting modern CISC and RISC systems. The book is divided into five parts that cover an overview, the computer system, the central processing unit, the control unit, and parallel organization. For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130351199.html *** SQUEAK: OPEN PERSONAL COMPUTING AND MULTIMEDIA by Mark J. Guzdial and Kimberly M. Rose 528 pp., Paper, $45 ISBN: 0-13-028091-7 Written by leading experts in the worldwide Squeak community, this book assembles a compelling vision of what programming can be. With a foreword by Alan Kay, Vice President of Research for Walt Disney Imagineering and the vision behind Squeak, this is the authoritative guide to the use of Squeak as a multimedia tool. The book provides details on 3-D computer graphics, advanced UI, streaming audio, computer music, and other multimedia topics and shows how Squeak supports the open source developer, from building and extending cross-platform software, to eXtreme Programming (XP). For more info: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130280917.html ______________________________ PHPTR Featured Reviews ______________________________ Java Ranch raves about ADVANCED JAVA 2 PLATFORM HOW TO PROGRAM by Harvey M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, and Sean E. Santry "...As complete a coverage of the Java platform as one can get. Each chapter briefly explains the Java technology it covers and then shows you how it is used. Every listing is explained in detail. I find the explanations clear and easy to understand. ... Their case studies are relevant and can be used as a great resource for your own projects at home and at work. ... Considering the pure volume of the example code you will forgive me that I did not install and try it all. But what I've played around with compiled and worked perfectly. The accompanying CD is a gem. Other authors should use it as an example to see how it should be done. I was especially impressed by the installation instructions for the accompanying software; clear, precise and accurate. Yep I have to say something about it. I love the color they use extensively in the book. It makes the reading of listings especially easy. This book must be one of the most complete Java books available at the moment. I highly recommend it...." For the full review: http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/bunkhouseAdvanced.jsp For more info on the book: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130895601.html *** JavaRanch reviews CORE JINI by W. Keith Edwards "At just over 2.5 inches, it's a thick, heavy, book and the spine bends alarmingly as you read it. Despite this it's surprisingly readable, but I wouldn't want to carry it about with me. ... There are code listings for all of the major areas and a couple of non-trivial worked examples but for a book this size there is not a lot of code. A working knowledge of Java and at least a passing acquaintance with RMI is assumed, but you don't need to know any Jini. ... There is also a lot of discussion of the complexities inherent in distributed systems, and how to use Jini to build robust, scalable "self-healing" networks. Scattered through the text are "Core Notes" which offer more detail or different perspectives on the material, and these are always interesting. Too big for a reference, but a detailed and well-structured book to get you up to speed on Jini quickly and efficiently." For the full review: http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/bunkhouseMisc.jsp For more info on the latest edition of the book: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0130894087.html *** Bertrand Meyer, author of the best-selling "Object-Oriented Software Construction," has written an outstanding assessment of the state of technical book publishing as part of a book review in IEEE Computer. Here's an excerpt: "...In the computer section of a bookstore today, you'll find shelf after shelf of trade books: hands-on, learn-as-you-go titles meant to give the reader immediate proficiency in the technology du jour. In many bookstores, they're all there is to see. ... In the better stores, you'll find a shelf or two stocked with technical books on more highbrow topics. Even there, however, only a few titles deal with real concepts. The two categories are doomed to their cliches. The highbrow books are accurate, boring, and don't sell. The trade books are targeted to a specific market, have a time-limited value, hope to sell well, and are put together in a rush to catch their audience before someone else does. As a result, their authors don't care that much about the solidity of the concepts or even technical accuracy. Often, they don't bother to tell you that developers used anything else before the appearance of the specific technology they describe, especially if the previous product came from another persuasion: Java Server Pages books won't acknowledge Microsoft's Active Server Pages, for example, while C# books pretend that Java never existed. Once in a while, a book does have the best of both sides: It talks to the practicing programmer, provides immediately applicable material, and is conceptually sound. _Design Patterns_ by Erich Gamma and colleagues (Addison-Wesley, 1995) is an example. But usually we must choose between a book that's useful and unreliable or one that's solid and inapplicable - or in the words of David Parnas, between 'gadgets without methods and theories without applications.'..." We at Prentice Hall PTR have recognized this dichotomy for years. We strive to achieve a balance with all our books - to make them accurate and up to date and at the same time readable and useful. Although we have not always been successful, we are confident that the great majority of our books have found this balance of qualities. We invite you to take a look at all our books and to send us feedback on this issue at PTR_Feedback@prenhall.com For the full article, see Computer, "Assessing a C# Text," March 2002, p. 86-88. For more info on Bertrand Meyer's book: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_0136291554.html ______________________________ Special Interests ______________________________ Browse our complete library of books on Software Engineering and Programming at http://www.phptr.com/specintr/software/softeng.html -------------------------------------------------- Tradeshows -------------------------------------------------- Stop by our booth at these other upcoming tradeshows to meet our authors and get some great deals on our books: NIWeek Austin Convention Center Austin, TX August 14-16 HP World Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA September 23-27 Check our website for info on these and future tradeshows: http://www.phptr.com/whatsnew/trade.html -------------------------------------------------- Author Events -------------------------------------------------- Michael Stiefel, co-author of _Application Development Using C# and .NET_, will be speaking at Softpro Books, in Burlington, MA on Wednesday, June 19th at 6:30 PM ET. Subject: "What is Microsoft .NET and Why Should a Programmer Care?" Abstract: Microsoft .NET revolutionizes software development on the Windows platform. .NET is made up of the Common Language Runtime for basic services, and the extensible .NET Framework class library. Microsoft has revamped its own development platform, and provided the basis for Internet applications such as Web services. No longer are there favored languages for certain tasks. Deployment is simpler (no more "DLL Hell"). Security is built into the platform itself. ASP.NET and Windows applications use the same development metaphor. No longer does ASP.NET development require using scripting languages that are different from the other languages you use. Component development is trivial (no more worrying about all kinds of issues that you had to with COM). Bio: Michael Stiefel is co-author of "Application Development Using C# and .NET," a book designed to explain to experienced developers what you need to know to start building applications with .NET. He will try to show you what, as a developer with 20 years of experience (and user of Microsoft technologies since 1989), excites him as an application builder about .NET. Details on the talk: http://www.softpro.com/events.html#stiefel More info on his book: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_013093383X.html Directions to Softpro/Burlington: http://www.softpro.com/info.html For more information: books@softpro.com -or- 781-273-2919 *** Bob Oberg, Michael Stiefel, and Ed Soong, authors from The Integrated .NET Series from Object Innovations and Prentice Hall PTR, will be attending ITTC (IT Training Conference) on June 25th in Newport, RI. For more info on the conference: http://www.ittconference.org/ For more info on the series: http://www.phptr.com/ptrbooks/ptr_013093383X.html -------------------------------------------------- Find a Bookstore -------------------------------------------------- Prentice Hall PTR partners with leading booksellers around the world to bring you the widest selection of our key titles. To find out where there's a registered PHPTR "Magnet Bookstore" near you, check out: http://www.phptr.com/booksell/magnet/magnet.html International customers, visit our newly redesigned International section at http://www.phptr.com/intl/index.html -------------------------------------------------- copyright (c) 2002 Pearson Education All prices quoted are suggested retail prices in US dollars. See our website (www.phptr.com) for discounts available to corporate, government, and bulk copy purchasers, and through special promotions. 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