|
|---|
|
|
|---|
Note that the mean rating of the 26 reviews is 9.35 (out of 10), with a median rating of 10.
| Date | Reviewer | Rating (1-10) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18/98 | A reader from Maryland | 9 | CWP is an excellent book. CWP is a book worth possessing by beginners as well as experienced people, who are interested in learning Java. The book covers all the aspects of java programming, including HTML, JavaScript, AWT and HTTP. I did not have to refer to any other book during my session with Marty Hall, as the book was self sufficient. |
| 5/17/98 | Anne Jenkins (annej@teipbi.com) from USA | 10 | Best web programming book on the market! This is the best web programming book on the market today. The only drawback is that it doesn't cover the HTML 4.0 specification, but it covers everything else! I especially liked the detailed treatment of Java. Marty Hall writes in an easy to read manner, so that even people starting out doing web programming can easily read this book without getting completely confused. I also liked how he explained why the commands work the way they do. Author's Note: Although the HTML 4.0 specification was not complete by the time the book came out, CWP covers frames, cascading style sheets, layered/dynamic HTML, and Netscape/IE extensions, giving you the vast majority of the new features in HTML 4.0. |
| 5/12/98 | tlogue@gses.com from Baltimore, MD | 10 | Outstanding Web Development Reference I thoroughly enjoyed Marty Hall's Core Web Programming. I started out completely ignorant of web development, and now I'm an expert webmaster! Chock-full of examples provided on the accompanying CD, I found the topics easy to comprehend and experiment with. The author's easy style and irrepressible humor made the experience most informative and entertaining. I emphatically recommend the book to aspiring and experienced web developers alike! |
| 5/11/98 | Joel Nylund(jnylund@ami.net) from Fairfax, VA | 9 | good book, one of the best covering java and cgi together CORE Web Programming is a the only book I have seen to do a good job at covering HTML, Java, CGI and Java Script. Its a must for any new Web programmer, and for those of us who are always trying to do new things with Web technology. The section on Java and CGI regarding POST,GET etc is by far the most comprehensive I have seen. |
| 5/10/98 | T. Downey from San Francisco, California | 9 | Just what the Java doctor ordered! This one just about does it all! It made the difference in getting me through a Java class at SFSU. I don't know if I could have passed without it. |
| 5/06/98 | lucz@ix.netcom.com from Florida, USA | 10 | Practical, educational, original, and complete Java Book ! This is the best book for anyone interested in practical applications of Java as well as other internet tools such as HTML, CGI, and Javascript. It has all the practical and pedagogical tools required for adopting it as a college textbook, and it is also very well suited for anyone interested in a self-learning Java book. Practical examples are provided to illustrate the concepts and techniques of Java, HTML, CGI, and Javascript. I strongly recommend it. |
| 4/17/98 | jp (balapa@montana.edu) from Montana State University,bozeman | 8 | Good book, missing Applets This a pretty good book, liked it a lot, One of the major drawbacks of this book is more java applications and less java applets. The name is pretty misleading, I expected to have atleast 90% explanation on applets. Author's Note: It is true that the introductory syntax chapters mostly use applications, since I am illustrating, short, non-graphical constructs. Similarly, all of the Java CGI programs and servlets are applications (of necessity). However, I just counted the number of top-level programs in the other Java chapters. 52% are applets; 48% are applications. Of course, most classes are in neither category, but rather are utility classes that can be used in both applets and applications. |
| 4/16/98 | vjbenok@shepherd.wvnet.edu from Shepherdstown, West Virginia | 10 | CWP is Certainly Worth Purchasing I particularly liked the author's treatment of threads. Normally, students are introduced to threads in an operating systems course where threads in kernels, threads in packages, and threads in programming languages are discussed and confused. Students will be pleased to turn to the author's lucid, hands-on description of multithreading in action. Except for the raise, the author delivers everything he promises. Author's Note: The remark about the raise relates to a comment I made in the summary section of the last chapter, where I suggested that the reader tell their boss that I said they deserve a raise. |
| 4/10/98 | Lawrence Brown ( lmbrown@oasys.dt.navy.mil) from Annapolis, Maryland | 10 | Excellent coverage of essential Web Programming Topics Core Web Programming is an excellent source for novice Web programmers entering the field, and for veteran programmers seeking to polish their skill set. Marty's book brilliantly touches on major topics essential to Web programming and Java applets. Each topic is presented in logical order along with easy to understand, clear, practical examples. Marty's practical programming experience (captured throughout the book) provides him unique insight to the advantages/disadvantages of the various Web programming techniques available. Marty also delivers invaluable insight to the subtle programming differences between the various operating systems and browsers. I currently use Marty's book as a text for advanced college courses on Web programming. I've only heard positive comments by the students on the quality and value of this text. Every serious Web programmer should read Core Web Programming. |
| 04/09/98 | davorind@yahoo.com from tallahassee | 3 | Do not buy a hype! This is another truly bad book with a lot of hype just like Sun's publishing. There is a lot of hype about PrenHall and Sun Soft but those publishers are no better than any other. How do you come to 1400 pages? Well if you write 5 pages in a typeset which could be one page in any other book. The book contains one of the worst organized indices I've seen in a long time and most of the time, instead of exemplifying the matter dissolves into technical blabber. The good question is which serious programmer would have a need for this book? There are many more comprehensive books on the market on any of the topics of this book, also written in a more readable manner than this one. Don't waste a penny on this book, it is not worthy one. For those who need tutorial, avoid this book, there are faster and more concrete books around. Author's Note: Well, this is by far the most negative reaction received, and for the most part I am unable to account for it. However, it is true that the index in the first printing was somewhat deficient, and it was upgraded considerably for the second printing (March 1998 or after). To let you evaluate this for yourself, I have put the index on-line in PDF format. |
| 03/26/98 | A reader from Soft Center, Sweden | 6 | Nothing special This is not a bad book but it's nothing special. It is difficult to find information in a book with over 1200 pages. It's clumsy. If you want a book on Java, buy a Java book. For HTML, buy a HTML book and JavaScript a separate volume is more handy. Netscape's Devedge and javasoft's pages on the net will give you almost all you need, for free. Often when I search for programming tips in the book I end up with Netscape's web pages in stead. Author's Note: Most people consider CWP's "all-in-one nature" a plus, not a minus. However, I recognize that some people prefer to have separate references for each topic, and integrate the material themselves. |
| 3/19/98 | Ken Kalish (mcross@iname.com) | 9 | I read a chapter on the web, then got the book Now here's an author who not only knows his stuff, he also knows how to explain it well, too. Take the Java chapters as an example. The book doesn't just describe the language and give some sample code. Instead, it begins a section with an overview, telling why things are the way they are. I also like the way that it gives you the strengths and weaknesses of doing things in different ways, where those comparisons apply. Altogether, the book has a flow to it that presents things in the way that I naturally want to learn them, allowing me to absorb the knowledge from the top down - rather than having to work up by wrestling with details. This doesn't mean that the details aren't present. I haven't had a question yet that the book hasn't answered. I'm even looking forward to learning about things that I really have no current need to know (like CGI), but whose inner workings I've always been curious about. One nice additional touch: it's not chock full of those pesky references like, "in C++, you do it this way, but in Java etc. etc.", those references that non-C++ programmers can find to be, well... pesky. |
| 3/13/98 |
brad@woodchuck.edoc.com | 10 | Core Web Pr0gramming R0cks With P0wer Core Web Programming rocks with power. I consider it an excellent amalgamation of intermediate to advanced concepts for people who want to become functional in the multi-layered, multi-tooled field of Web and Network Programming. I just recently got hired as an entry level Java/JDBC programmer, and Hall's huge tome is my #1 reference, not to mention the textbook for one of my classes. |
| 3/10/98 | A reader from Houston, Texas | 10 | The Java Book Worth Buying The examples were constructed so that you can get a good perspective of Object Orientated Technology and its implementations. It like having a good teacher next to you who knew what you might missed out or assumed and he gave you very easy to read examples. The book covered all the important areas of Web programming environment. |
| 2/27/98 | vick@cs.umbc.edu University of Maryland Baltimore County | 10 | An excellent reference and tutorial I used Hall's text for a Winter Session course on Java and Internet Programming. I found the book readable and technically comprehensive. The feedback I got from students was universally positive! |
| 2/24/98 | mbbf@andrew.cmu.edu | 10 | The Best Web Programming Book Available This book has all the latest technologies in an easy-to-read, easy-to-follow manner. It's great for teaching yourself something a new web style, as well as for use just as a reference. I find myself looking for something in the book, and then reading the entire chapter and learning something new everytime. I highly recommend the book. |
| 2/23/98 | mathura@lsil.com | 10 | Excellent Guide This is one of the superb book, I have seen on Web Programming with excellent coverage of Java. Though I could not read the complete book because of it's non availability, here in India. My comments are based on Chapter 13, which is available on-line. |
| 2/18/98 | balapa@montana.edu | 10 | Really good one. I have always wanted to get to web programming for a long time and most of the books have been purely intimidating. This is the book for everone. It starts from the basics and goes till the end. |
| 2/18/98 | A reader from the UK. | 10 | Get this book if you like Java, and want to run a server.
The only language I really know is Java, yet I wanted to implement a server. Chapter 17 does the client-side, Chapter 18 does the server-side, and it's all in Java (with 2 lines af Executable Script!). So if you want all your client/server needs written in Java, get this NOW. |
| 2/3/98 | malik@spsnet.com | 10 | A Must for professional web developers An excellent book which ties together multiple aspects of Web programming under one cover. A must for professionals trying to grasp the architectural alternatives available to them to design web based applications. Smooth and clear writing style facilitates accelarated learning. |
| 2/1/98 | David Hopkins hopkindm@bcpl.lib.md.us | 10 | Comprehensive, resourceful, and candid It's so nice to have a book that covers the four major aspects of web programming. It's comprehensive, yet there's no filler that you find in some other books just to make it look like a large and comprehensive book. Who needs to spend $30-$50 for a 400 page book just on HTML? One particular aspect I enjoyed was how the author pointed out what would work/not work with which browsers and on which platforms. I've never been able to find that type of information elsewhere, including the 3-4 other Java books I've looked through. He also gives tips on how to tailor your programming toward the mass audience, encompassing all browsers and all platforms. This is indispensible to someone trying to sell a service or product over the Web. As if this wasn't enough, the source code that he's provided is great for building a larger and more powerful application for your own use. It's a big time saver, as you'd need to build these yourself if you were going to develop any applications, then write your interfacing code. Marty Hall provides the building blocks. The other books that I have seen provide examples that help you understand concepts, but don't help you much beyond that. I'll be using these modules for years to come. A fantastic resource. |
| 1/22/98 | Chris Stone | 10 | This is a comprehensive reference for all web programmers. Marty's hands on, easy to read writing style makes this book indispensable. Core Web Programming has become the de facto text in my Department. |
| 1/20/98 | CWilliamson@RWD.com | 10 | Core Web Programming is an invaluable reference for the web developer. The examples are both useable as they are and easily extendable, making Marty's to the point style of writting even more clear. |
| 1/8/98 | gardner@stsci.edu | 10 | Finally, a book that covers multiple web topics. CWP covers many important aspects of web development including HTML, CGI, Java, JDBC, and JavaScript. This book was not only easy to read while conveying the fundamentals of web programming, it was ENJOYABLE! HTML, forms processing, and CGI scripting are covered in detail. Anyone from novice to web expert will find these chapters an excellent learning tool and reference. Java makes up the majority of the book with many tested examples (which can be "borrowed") that illustrate practical uses of the covered topic. What was especially valuable were the sections on threading, sockets, double buffering, cgi parsing, and the AWT. All the classes in this book are well designed with reuse as a top priority. Not only do you learn important Java topics, you get a grounding in good programming practices. |
| 12/30/97 | Jim Albert Senior Computer Scientist US Dept. of Defense | 10 | Covers most important web development features in 1 book. Why spend $100 or more on several web development books? Core Web Programming combines the most important web development features in one book. HTML, Java, CGI and JavaScript are all fully covered; not just a simple overview. The book also does an excellent job of covering the HyperText Transfer Protocol and Client/Server aspects of the Web. Core Web Programming is the type of book the web developer will reach for again and again. The book is equally suited for the instructor looking for a single book for a web development class. |
| 12/22/97 | Paul McNamee paulmac@apl.jhu.edu | 10 | Top-Notch Java/Web(HTML,CGI,JavaScript) book for
programmers [Note: I was one of the technial reviewers of this book] Executive Summary: Core Web Programming is the Java / Web programming book to buy if you want to learn about HTML, Java, CGI, or JavaScript. The Java chapters and examples are excellent and could be a book in themselves. There are many cheap Java / Web "books" out there -- this is *not* one of them. Core Web Programming was written by a professional, for professionals. Target Audience: Web developers who want to learn about putting content on the Web via HTML, CGI, and JavaScript and by programmers who are looking for a good introduction to Java. The book is designed for professional self-study, but could be used a as companion text in classroom environment. Technical Content: Superb. Without a doubt. The book contains everything you need to know to build masterful web pages from the simplest to those incorporating advanced features like frames, cascading style sheets, font properties, and dynamic pages with JavaScript. Java programming is presented both for use in web pages and by programmers who want to apply it to industrial strength applications. Up to date. Presents the latest in Java 1.1 with an explanation of changes from Java 1.02. Explains HTML 3.2 and how the HTML standard has evolved. Includes side topics often left unmentioned like network security and threads. Marty's (200+) examples are pure gold. To the beginner, the examples are clear explanations of how to do something. To the advanced hacker, the examples are full of excellent style, techniques, and paradigms that may take more time to master. Marty clearly argues that Java is not just a Web programming language, but a full strength (albeit young) language ripe for many applications. The chapters on graphical programming in Java, (chapters 9-13), especially the chapter on layout managers, are the best I have seen on the subject. Author's Style: Marty is a trained computer scientist, not a full-time technical writer. The material he presents is based on years of experience and and teaching and is not a mere reference guide. The book does not assume a background in C/C++/Java syntax or object-oriented programming which are surveyed in chapters 7-8. The graphical examples are often demonstrated on several platforms, so whether you are using a Mac, PC, or UNIX box, and regardless of what browser you prefer, this book is written for you. Marty is unassuming and carefully but not laboriously explains concepts with frequent examples. The tables on HTML syntax (in chapters 1-3) will serve as a good reference for those learning HTML. Marty also does a good job explaining programming with threads (chapter 14), a topic that many authors present poorly or with many mistakes. The book is filled with both a subtle humor (see the spell-correcting textfield example), and some apt, Dilbert (TM) strips. Core Web Programming was designed to cover all aspects of programming on the Web, -- in one book! Why buy one book on HTML, another on CGI, others on Java and JavaScript, and so on? About the Reviewer: I have had the pleasure of working with Marty for 6 years at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and I consider him a remarkable computer scientist, programmer and communicator. I have observed the many late hours Marty devoted to the book and I believe the result is excellent. I also teach courses at Johns Hopkins in the Java and C++ languages and as a professional software developer and instructor, I give the book my strongest endorsement. Paul McNamee |