Java is an object-oriented language that is extremely popular with programmers and Web developers. This beginner-level book teaches readers the fundamental programming concepts they need to grasp in order to learn any computer language. The unique approach covers the versatility and extensibility of Java using game creation as a teaching tool. The author starts with the basics of Java, assuming that the reader is truly a beginner with no programming experience. This non-intimidating guide to Java will be a welcome addition to the library of any aspiring programmer.

Aimed at those with some previous Java experience, Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages covers all you need to know to create effective Web applications using server-side Java. Combining plenty of practical advice with detailed information on these APIs, this book provides both the necessary background on Web programming and guidance on using Java effectively to power your Web site. Topics covered: Overview of Java servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSPs), servlets vs. CGI and ASPs, survey of servlet products, installation and configuration hints, using packages with servlets, the servlet life cycle, initialization parameters, debugging tips, HTML form basics, submitting and processing form variables, HTTP request and response headers, standard CGI variables, HTTP status codes, using cookies, session tracking with servlets, e-commerce example, JSP scripting elements and attributes, including files, using applets, JavaBeans and tag libraries with JSPs, strategies for combining servlets and JSPs effectively, database and JDBC tutorial, and connecting pooling.

Professional JavaServer Pages covers a wide variety of areas including design and architecture, JSPs and their relation to J2EE (Servlets, EJBs, JDBC etc) as well as extensive coverage of the tag extension mechanism that allows you to customize the tags you use in your pages to the data you're presenting. Readers are given an introduction to JSP, explaining how they relate to servlets, showing the tags, and creating beans to encapsulate business logic, to keep web page design simple. Further chapters cover database access with JDBC and connection pooling, JSP debugging, and web application architecture using JSP and servlets. After considering security issues in JSP web applications, the book concludes with seven real-world case studies including using JSP, XML and XSLT to target content at WAP and HTML browsers, e-commerce, streaming using JMF, and porting an existing ASP-based application to JSP.

Readers can cut to the chase with this new, updated "must have" guide to Java and object-oriented programming. "Just Java 2" contains all the essential information any programmer needs to get started with Java. The CD-ROM includes a huge amount of Java source code including many Java games, some physics applets (animation of an electric motor), translators for Java and many other languages including C/C++, Perl, TCL, Eiffel, Smalltalk, two mini-versions of Linux, Java bible code software, the Java Programmers FAQ and glossary, and much, much more.