<pre>
Author/s : Brett McLaughlin
Publisher : O'Reilly
Category : Misc. Java
Review by : Mark Spritzler
Rating : 7 horseshoes</pre>
Welcome to Data Binding. Not sure where to go? Just pick up
Java & XML Data Binding by Brett McLaughlin. He'll show you where to go. Not that its too difficult to find your way, as using Data Binding is easy. But Brett not only makes it easier, he also demonstrates the best practices, the package limitations, and how-to's on the other packages that either pre-date JAXB or extend it, past its limitations.
The author is the founder of Zeus, one of the other data binding implementations. But Brett does not try to sell one implementation over another. He successfully presents his material objectively.
Data Binding is the ability to convert XML documents into Java objects and back quickly with very little coding on your part. With a DTD and a Data Binding Schema (XML) you run xjc and it automatically generates your class code for you. So now with just 3 lines of code, you can convert that XML into a Java Object.
I found the book to be a very easy read. There is lots of code for you to practice with. Brett's explanations are easily understood, and he throws in some good humor to keep this book light.
I guess the final question of whether to buy the book comes down to whether you need Data Binding in your applications. If the answer is "You bet your boots I do," I highly recommend you buy this book.
More info at Amazon.com More info at Amazon.co.uk