Google Web Toolkit Solutions (Book Review)

Author: Jimmy

28 Jan

You will not see “Hello World” example in David Geary’s book, Google Web Toolkit Solutions: More Cool & Useful Stuff, because it’s not a book for newbies. Instead, the authors tell very clearly in the opening of the book that their target is to put GWT developers into the fast lane with practical, non-contrived solutions — not to help people brand new to GWT get started.

Experienced programmer (not necessary being experienced in AJAX programming), who want guide to a variety of practical solutions, would be grateful for this book. The 370-page book is structured into 12 chapters, each of which carefully explores a solution. The first solution is an overview of GWT basics including an introduction to GWT widgets, the anatomy of a GWT application, using GWT panels, and implementing RPC (remote procedure calls).

The 11 solutions that follow are:

Solution 2: JavaScript Integration
Solution 3: Custom Widget Implementation
Solution 4: Viewports and Maps
Solution 5: Access to Online Web Services
Solution 6: Drag and Drop
Solution 7: Simple Windows
Solution 8: Flex Tables
Solution 9: File Uploads
Solution 10: Hibernate Integration
Solution 11: Deployment to an External Server
Solution 12: GWT and Legacy Code

There is a companion Web site that contains demos of all the solutions in the book. This is a great place to see some working examples of GWT in action. The site also includes errata and other information that complements the physical book.

I highly recommend Google Web Toolkit Solutions for those who are planning on using AJAX and want to strengthen GWT skills. Practical information the book provides will gradually help you use GWT to its fullest.

Recommended Reading: This site recommends Website Magazine for 'Net Success

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