REVIEW - Kick Ass Java Programming


Title:

Kick Ass Java Programming

Author:

Tonny Espeset

ISBN:

Publisher:

Coriolis Group (1996)

Pages:

480pp

Reviewer:

Chris Hills

Reviewed:

August 1998

Rating:

★☆☆☆☆


This book intrigued me. It claims

'In this book, you'll find the most advanced Java techniques ever collected in a single book - explained by Java guru (and programming 'bad boy') Tonney Espeset'.

Now that is quite a bold statement. The part that worries me is the 'bad boy' reference. Part of my work is getting rid of code generated by 'bad boys'. We have another name for them where I work.

I flicked through the book and realised that, despite the accompanying CD containing the entire source, about half the book is printed source code. Now a code fragment to illustrate a point is one thing. This is just 200 pages of padding. This is not a book to dip into and read as the sections of text are broken up by the long chunks of code.

Despite the claims, the content itself is not that revolutionary. It mainly concentrates on manipulation of graphics to make your web site look good, including some VMRL and 3D. The source for these manipulations and filters are provided. The techniques are not that advanced (they do look good though). There is not, to my mind, enough background theory to enable the reader to do much more than run the code and tinker. For serious work one will need a better graphics book.

Whilst it is aimed squarely at the PC web market there is little help on web site design at all. Incident-ally the CD contains, surprisingly, very few of usual raft of PD and shareware Java programs other books throw in. It does contain JDK and a couple of games.

This is a niche book, Java (on a PC) for web graphics. There are far better books on graphics though they tend to be in C/C++, better books on web design and certainly better Java books. I would not buy this book.


Book cover image courtesy of Open Library.





Your Privacy

By clicking "Accept Non-Essential Cookies" you agree ACCU can store non-essential cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Current Setting: Non-Essential Cookies REJECTED


By clicking "Include Third Party Content" you agree ACCU can forward your IP address to third-party sites (such as YouTube) to enhance the information presented on this site, and that third-party sites may store cookies on your device.

Current Setting: Third Party Content EXCLUDED



Settings can be changed at any time from the Cookie Policy page.