MUST HAVE ! - This is not a tutorial!

So, this one is difficult to describe. First 3 chapters are basics, 1 is boring story about MVC model I and II. Chapter 2 is better, describes struts config, but nothing that you already don't know. Third chapter is hello world. All together for beginners.

Now Chapter 4 is a revelation, gives several very important hints, from security issues (page protection), what goes into action, handling duplicate submissions, and so on. Chapter 5 is also very good but deals with form validation (multiple pages, etc.). These chapters are not for beginners, and that is the reason why some people don't like this book. For the complete tutorial and learning book you should not use this one, although chapters 1-3 are in that way. This part of book acts like a cookbook, and has some great hints and ideas. Programming Jakarta Struts and Professional Jakarta Struts are more for people who need to learn it from beginning.

Finally chapter 6 deals with tag libraries, in a shallow approach, not good. Interesting is Chapter 7, dealing with Tiles, also very short, but tells you the most important things. However you need to purchase some other Tiles book if the Tiles are something you need to know in depth.

I would rate this book with 4 - with the accent that this is a "cookbook" not a tutoring book.

I believe that first 3 chapters should be shorter, perhaps just sheets and hints. More space should given to even more advices like in chapters 4 and 5. Tiles are imporant, but are discussed in way as chapters 1-3 but much condensed, thus better, but too short, many things were skipped. I would like to see a new edition of this book with more hints and more work on it and taking completely a direction of a cookbook not a tutorial.

Anyway, a good book, providing useful information which I couldn't find anywhere else.

Other Reviews

• Great Job - Keep it up!
• True Developer to Developer
• Essential text
• MUST HAVE ! - This is not a tutorial!
• This book has problems!