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Book Review: JavaServer Pages Pocket Reference

Author: Hans Bergsten

Publisher: O'Reilly

Date: 2001

Pages: 81

ISBN: 0596002319

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Reviewed by Jayson Falkner

As the title implies JavaServer Pages Pocket Reference is a pocket reference for JavaServer Pages. The majority of this book is dedicated directly to the JSP API. The book is actually very similar to what you would expect to see in the back of any decent JSP book, but with a slight twist. The twist is that those bland API docs actually have small blurbs of relevant information included with the descriptions. The more important parts of the API even have small examples.

Personally, I still prefer clicking my bookmark to the real JSP API docs. But I do like this pocket reference and here is why. To compliment the API docs there are also references for JSP directives, standard actions, implicit objects, creating custom tags, and making a WAR. Having all of these in one convenient place is well worth the $12 dollars this book costs.

What I liked:

Great general reference to the JSP specs
Size! I have and will continue to pick this guy off my shelf compared to hefty volumes with a reference in the back.
Price.

What I disliked:

First edition of this text only references the JSP 1.1 specifications.
Minimal Servlet coverage. "The WEB-INF/web.xml file is an important file...Please see the Servlet 2.2 specification." When have you ever developed a JSP application and not needed a Servlet reference?

Do I recommend this Reference?

No. JSP 1.2 is already official. Stick to the online JavaDocs and save your $12 dollars for the 2nd edition. If the same quality material in this book covered JSP 1.2 I'd say go buy the book today. If it covered JSP 1.2 and Servlets 2.3 I'd say buy a copy for each of your pockets.

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