About Joe's Book

[Gregg Bolinger]

I LOVE books that take you step by step and give you a complete working app at the end. I try to buy books that do this because they are my favorite.
However, I have noticed in a lot of books, they tend to lack on source code along the way. The author expects you to download the example source code from a web site and "follow along". This is somewhat discouraging to me.
When you say you go step by step though a working application, is it true that all I need is the book? Or am I going to have to take additional steps in order to truly "follow along"?
Thanks.

[Joe Pluta]

Excellent point, Gregg.
Eclipse: Step by Step is an entirely self-contained book. The source code is all included. You can type it in yourself, or import it from the included CD. Not only that, but I also include a few alternative source files (for example, if you don't want to use IBM's SWT, I've included Swing versions of all the GUI programs).
The idea is that you should be able to sit down with the book and a workstation and go from start to finish without any additional material. The only thing you might have to do is install Java if you don't already have it installed on your machine, but I even include instructions on how to do that.
Joe

[Gregg Bolinger]

Sounds great Joe! I have been using Eclipse for about 2 weeks now on a database application I am writing. Basically, it's just a front end for MySQL. I got tired of having to use 3 different programs for all the features I needed. Then I am going to implement the Jenny Code Generator for Tables.
Anyway, what type of App does your book help produce?

[Joe Pluta]

Originally posted by Gregg Bolinger:
Anyway, what type of App does your book help produce?

A small database query application using SWT as the GUI and HSQLDB as the database. I don't use MySQL because of the licensing issues - you're not allowed to use the free version except with Open Source projects. Instead, I've got instructions on using HSQLDB, JTOpen, PostgreSQL and SAP DB, all of which are entirely free.
Joe

[Gregg Bolinger]

Does the book contain any reference information. For example, a page or 2 with shortcut keys and their functions? Or is this type of thing just discussed throughout the book.

[Arathi Raj]

Hi,
Do any company use eclipse. Is eclipse just a java editor or does it have more than that. I have not yet tried eclipse.

[Gregg Bolinger]

I don't know about what companies use Eclipse. But what makes Eclipse so good in my opinion is that it is NOT JUST a java IDE. It is really anything you want it to be. And this is because of the supurb plug-in support and community.
You can do JAVA, HTML, JSP, Servlets, PHP, XML, C#, C, C++ and that is just skimming the surface.
There are even plugins for listening to MP3's within Eclipse. I would suggest visiting Eclipse-Plugins. This will give you a good idea of what Eclipse is capable of.
Of course, for JAVA Development, it doesn't get much better for FREE.

[Joe Pluta]

Originally posted by Gregg Bolinger:
Does the book contain any reference information. For example, a page or 2 with shortcut keys and their functions? Or is this type of thing just discussed throughout the book.

No, Gregg, there's no reference. That's a great thought! I wonder if I can't put together a reference. I think I should put together a mailing list and a web page and with the help of folks like you perhaps we can put together some additional information that would help make the book that much more useful.
At the same time, I'm positive that the Java Developer's Guide to Eclipse probably has as comprehensive a reference as you would like. The question is whether a shorter index - a sort of "commonly used functions" - is needed.
I'd be very interested to hear thoughts about this from anybody who has read the book, as well as from people who have used Eclipse and have ideas on what would make it easier to use.
There are also tentative plans for a follow-on book, so feel free to add any thoughts as to good topics for such a project.
Joe

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by Joe Pluta:

No, Gregg, there's no reference. That's a great thought! I wonder if I can't put together a reference. I think I should put together a mailing list and a web page and with the help of folks like you perhaps we can put together some additional information that would help make the book that much more useful.
At the same time, I'm positive that the Java Developer's Guide to Eclipse probably has as comprehensive a reference as you would like. The question is whether a shorter index - a sort of "commonly used functions" - is needed.
I'd be very interested to hear thoughts about this from anybody who has read the book, as well as from people who have used Eclipse and have ideas on what would make it easier to use.
There are also tentative plans for a follow-on book, so feel free to add any thoughts as to good topics for such a project.
Joe

I think a web page would be GREAT! I am all for quick references. A book to learn by is great. But then when you just need to find a shortcut or key combination, browsing a 300 page book is not the best choice. And having something on-line, searchable, etc, is even better.
Let me know what you come up with and if I can be of any help, just let me know. Thanks Joe.

[Joe Pluta]

Originally posted by Gregg Bolinger:
I think a web page would be GREAT! I am all for quick references. A book to learn by is great. But then when you just need to find a shortcut or key combination, browsing a 300 page book is not the best choice. And having something on-line, searchable, etc, is even better.
Let me know what you come up with and if I can be of any help, just let me know. Thanks Joe.

Alright, I'm going to get a mailing list ready and a webpage. Since the fine folks at JavaRanch are kind enough to be doing this promotion, I won't put those into place until next week; until then, we'll keep all the discussion here. But look for more information next week.
Joe

[sunitha reghu]

Originally posted by Gregg Bolinger:

Of course, for JAVA Development, it doesn't get much better for FREE.

Netbeans is also good, the only problem is loading time is very slow.
suppose if i want to open a pre existing java file is there any way i can open like file-> open ( just opens the file)instead of file ->import or copy the files to project. In scenarios like these i prefer Textpad.

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by sunitha raghu:


Netbeans is also good, the only problem is loading time is very slow.
suppose if i want to open a pre existing java file is there any way i can open like file-> open ( just opens the file)instead of file ->import or copy the files to project. In scenarios like these i prefer Textpad.

Netbeans just annoys and frustrates me more than anything. But this is not what this thread is about, so I digress.
Yes, Texpad or some similar program is better if you just need to open a single file for viewnig or minor editing purposes. Eclipse is more of a Project Based IDE and not much of a simple editor.
I am sure there is a way to simply open a file as you stated, but I don't know what it is.

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by Joe Pluta:

Alright, I'm going to get a mailing list ready and a webpage. Since the fine folks at JavaRanch are kind enough to be doing this promotion, I won't put those into place until next week; until then, we'll keep all the discussion here. But look for more information next week.
Joe

Well, be sure and add me to your mailing list.