Head First SCWCD

[Jeff Tennenbaum]

Hi All,
I'm nearing completion on the Head First Java book, which has been quite enjoyable. I'm now interested in growing my skills as a Servlet and JSP "programmer". I was thinking of (pre)ordering the Head First SCWCD book, but I'm not sure if the book is aimed at people who want to pass the Sun exam or for newbies who want to grow skills on Servlets, JSPs, etc. Would this book be a good fit for a newbie such as myself? Thanks!
Best Regards,
Jeff

[Kathy Sierra]

Howdy -- I think I know the answer to this one
The book is for *both* those goals. It assumes that you know Java to the extend of Head First Java (or equivalent), but we don't assume that you know Servlets and JSP. So we start from the very beginning, but because it's a certification book we *do* go into more detail and depth than if it were *only* a beginning book. So it's an introduction to Servlets JSP PLUS it adds on all of the other advanced topics needed for certification, and includes all the mock exams and exam hints.
But this book won't be out now until May. Although Bert and I were both on the exam development team for this new version, our other author, Bryan Basham, is really the Main Man on this book and the exam. He created the original exam and the objectives, and has worked closely with the specification teams, etc. And he's been very busy at Sun (Bert and I are now contractors, but Bryan is still a 'badged' employee), so both the exam (and the book) were delayed from our original estimates.
At this point, Tim O'Reilly will personally come out and beat us up if the book isn't ready before JavaOne, so we're VERY confident in the new dates.
Sorry for the wait!!
But to answer your question, yes, we're definitely targeting people who have learned the equivalent of Head First Java and now want to move into Servlets and JSP, and want to understand best practices and design patterns related to web application development.
cheers,
Kathy

[Jeff Tennenbaum]

Straight from the source ....
Thanks!!!
I guess it's time to place my order. That gives me plenty of time to finish Head First Java and review. Thanks again.
Best Regards,
Jeff

[Bernd Schmeil]

So what's the state about this book? Various online booksellers list it as available in july, but ora doesn't even mention it anywhere (especially not in the list of upcomming books).

Also, while I'm preparing for RHCE (red hat certified engineer) I thought a Head First Linux Administration book would be nice to have. I wish there would be much more Head First books with a broad range of topics.

[Pauline McNamara]

Hi Bernd, welcome to Javaranch!

This thread mentions some Head First goodies on the way. Linux you say? Hmmmm. Maybe you'll get your wish...

Head First Servlets and JSP on O'Reilly site

From what I've heard, Kathy and Bert won't be allowed to go out and play, eat anything other than take-in pizza or sleep more than a couple hours a night until the servlets book is done (for the JavaOne conference, June 28 to July 1) reeeeeeeeally soon.

Hang in there K&B!
[ June 10, 2004: Message edited by: Pauline McNamara ]

[Barbara Norway]

Hi,

Is the Head First Servlets and JSP available at JavaOne? Does anyone know?
Thanks!

P.S. On the O'Reilly site it's still listed as available July (est.)....

[Johannes de Jong]

No. It might only be out near the end of July.

[Barbara Norway]

Thanks.

[Don Stadler]

Originally posted by Kathy Sierra:
Howdy -- I think I know the answer to this one

At this point, Tim O'Reilly will personally come out and beat us up if the book isn't ready before JavaOne, so we're VERY confident in the new dates.

What I want to know is whether Tim fulfilled his promise?

The other thing I'd like to know is whether the new book covers frameworks like Struts, Velocity, Webwork2, etc or whether it's confined to Servlet/JSP. To be honest I'm not all that interested in Servlets and JSP these days except in the context of one or more frameworks.....

[Bert Bates]

We have bruises , and we're almost done.

There is a chapter in the book that discusses patterns and frameworks, but this book's two primary purposes are:

- providing a foundation to servlets and JSP technologies
- preparing SCWCD candidates

[Olexiy Prokhorenko]

just decided to tell my opinion
even if i've already passed SCWCD1.4 - i am almost sure that i will buy "Head First SCWCD"
i was very impressed with "Head First EJB", so i believe i will find many interesting in this new book

thanks for your work - Kathy and Bert! :-)

[Amirthalingam Prasanna]

Guys can't wait anymore.When is the book coming out???
:roll:

[Pauline McNamara]

soon!!

[Bert Bates]

really, really soon!!!

(it keeps getting a little longer but we're beating it into submission)

[Alan Ford]

good one

[Barbara Norway]

I just noticed that O'Reilly changed the estimated release date from July to August (and moved it from the "New Titles" back to the "Upcoming Titles" section on their site): O'Reilly

I'm sure looking forward to it as I have a monster JSP system to debug