One more to Kathy and Bert

[Giselle Dazzi]

Kathy and Bert,
Did you write this book considering that the reader will have how much previous knowledge on EJB ? Should I go read another book first ? I just started working on a project that uses EJB, is that good enough ?
Thx

[Theodore Casser]

I think they'd previously said that the book would be written for someone who understands Java's basic concepts, but not presuming any knowledge of the EJB sections of J2EE.
I could, of course, be wrong.

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Giselle Dazzi:
Kathy and Bert,
Did you write this book considering that the reader will have how much previous knowledge on EJB ? Should I go read another book first ? I just started working on a project that uses EJB, is that good enough ?
Thx

Have u downloaded the sample chapter from the book? Here is the link to the thread to the downloading link...
http://www.coderanch.com/t/158071/java-EJB-SCBCD/certification/First-Chapter-Sample-Head-First
Hope it can help you to decide whether u need more basic level book or not...

[Bert Bates]

Hi Giselle,
HF EJB is intended to be an 'intro' book, but you definitely need to know Java. Head First books are really different from most technical books! The link listed above is a really good representation of the style of a head first book. You can also go to oreilly.com to see excerpts from the first HF book.
We're still working on a quick answer to 'what's a Head First book' ? They tend to be intro books, but they're definitely NOT 'dummies' books. They are definitely NOT a regurgitation of the spec. One of our rules is 80/20, i.e. 80% of what you accomplish you'll accomplish using 20% of the tool. We REALLY like to hammer home the key concepts, the thought being that if you have a really strong understanding of the foundation, you'll be able to learn what you need from there. One question we ask ourselves over and over again is 'What would I have wanted when I was first learning this stuff?". A Head First book is NOT a reference book, it's really about learning. We don't think any meaty topic can be fully covered by a single book, so we don't pretend to write reference books.
Head First books aren't for everybody, but if you like the style, we hope that the books will help people dive in to technologies that are new to them.

[Giselle Dazzi]

Thanks for your reply Bert! Your book on the SCJP exam really helped me a lot earlier this year. Now I want to go for another certification but I'm feeling the learning curve for ejb really longer...

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Giselle Dazzi:
Now I want to go for another certification but I'm feeling the learning curve for ejb really longer...

Guess what... You are on your way to SCWCD, aren't u? Or some other vendors' certification? I guess studying for SCBCD should not be more than three months for those, who do have J2EE background...

[chetak faldesai]

Hi Bert,
Quoting you,
"Head First books aren't for everybody, but if you like the style, we hope that the books will help people dive in to technologies that are new to them."
This is something unusual for me. I am an avid reader. I read mostly fiction, fredrick forsythe, grisham, clancy and so on. I used to wait eagerly for new releases from these authors. I never thought a day would come where I would be waiting so much for a "tech" book. I was so very impressed with the Head First Java Book and was waiting eagerly for the next release from head first series. I got the head first java a little late in the sense I was well versed with Java yet the book had the feel of a can't keep it down blockbuster. I am just starting to get into EJB's and this book has come at the right time. I know that i am going to spend quite some sleepless nights with this book right beside me.
Thanks for making learning fun.
Regards,
Chet

[Pradeep bhatt]

Chetak,
There were times when I had to wait months for my school books.
[ October 29, 2003: Message edited by: Pradeep Bhat ]

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Pradeep Bhat:
Chetak,
There were times when I had to wait months for my school books.
[ October 29, 2003: Message edited by: Pradeep Bhat ]

Me too... Once I didn't get my textbook even after the mid-term exam, when I was studying for Bachelor Degree... That's a little bit funny, ah? But I had chance to read some reference book to take the mid-term exam...

[Pradeep bhatt]

Originally posted by Ko Ko Naing:

Me too... Once I didn't get my textbook even after the mid-term exam, when I was studying for Bachelor Degree... That's a little bit funny, ah? But I had chance to read some reference book to take the mid-term exam...

Looks like these things are common in Asian countries. I thought this happens only in India. I am surprised it happens in rich countries like Thailand. :roll:

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Pradeep Bhat:

I am surprised it happens in rich countries like Thailand. :roll:

Oh oh... U said Thailand is rich... I think India is much more than that, isn't it? :roll: