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Summary: Excellent. Easy to read and full of insight.
Review: Composition vs Inheritance is clearly explained and sound advice given on the use of each technique. Then there are extensive examples on the use of interfaces. This is the best book by far on design with Java.
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Summary: 100-page pamplet becomes a 300 page, $45 book
Review: Is it the publisher or the author who had the idea of turning this pamphlet into an expensive book? Somebody should be ashamed. It uses the typical tricks--large fonts, wide margins, generous line spacing, repetitive sections, thick paper--to stretch the text out as far as possible. Even then, they still need some repetitive appendixes and an index to get past the 287 pages of margin-endowed material. Plus, they include a CD which is really just an advertisement for more products from the author. But we get to pay extra for it. The word "hucksterism" keeps coming to mind. All that said, the content of this pamphlet is excellent, and definitely worth reading. I just don't see why the authors didn't turn it into a white paper and put it on their site to help sell their other products.
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Summary: An excellent resource on OO design
Review: Peter Coad is one of the greatest design minds around. This book gives the reader insight into some of the most important design decisions in a clear and easy to understand manner. One of the greatest strengths of the book is Coad's unique ability to explain complex topics in simple straightforward language without dumbing down the information. In particular, the chapters on Composition and Interfaces are worth the price of the book alone.
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Summary: A Must Have Book on OO Design
Review: Java Design: Building Better Apps and Applets is much improved when compared to its first edition. The topics discussed do indeed allow you to build better applications and applets. While Java-centric, these design issues are relevant no matter what language you use. Each section provides invaluable strategies and guidelines for evaluating your designs and more importantly - it provides suggestions to evaluate which areas in your design are worth spending that additional design time on. The guidelines and strategies alone make this book a must have for any programmer. I criticized the first edition because the book didn't flow as well and was a little hard to read. In its second edition the book is a very easy read and the information is nicely presented. All diagrams now use UML. Buy this.
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Summary: The beginning of an on-going relationship...
Review: Peter Coad here. Thank you for your interest in "Java Design" (this is the First Edition; the Second Edition includes 71 pages and UML throughout). I hope this book might be the beginning of an on-going relationship with you. In fact, please visit the website for free technical newletters, how-to handbooks, modeling software, and more. Best wishes for great success! PC
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of an on-going relationship...
Review: Peter Coad here. Thank you for your interest in "Java Design" Second Edition (with 71 new pages and UML throughout). I hope this book might be the beginning of an on-going relationship with you. In fact, please visit the website for free technical newletters, how-to handbooks, modeling software, and more. Best wishes for great success! PC
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Summary: Extend'ing laid to rest
Review: The OO Programmers obsession with "extending" every class is finally laid to rest with this excellent book, and the case for "composition" strongly presented. Whilst the C++ jury may be out, Java programmers can get on with it. Easy to read and full of real-world examples this is the best design, object-orientated book I have come across. Anyone can learn the syntax and structure of a language but it's how the code is put together that determines the quality of the finished product. Just like you wouldn't let a builder start constructing your new home without a plan and design, you shouldn't do the same with your Java development. When you purchase Peter Coad book you also get added value. Visit his web site and you can subscribe to a twice weekly newsletter, get addendum's and new chapters to the book, a free Java Design Tool. Yes of course he wants you purchase courses, software and his next book but it does feel that he really wants you to be "Building Better Apps & Applets".
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Summary: This book really opened my eyes
Review: This is a great design book and an excellent tutorial in object-oriented design. Although the book uses Java I have already found myself applying some of the design techniques in C++.
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Summary: Excellent combination of OO principles & Java concepts
Review: I read with great pleasure this book. Being an enthusiastic Java programmer I really appreciated the excellent combination of OO design principles and Java concepts like interfaces.
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Summary: Sound advice on Java design
Review: I want to commend you on your excellent book, 'Java Design.' Compared with others, your instruction seems more direct, immediately applicable, and less mystical for my purposes. For example, the principle of favoring composition over inheritance has really opened my eyes, especially when trying to decouple my designs. Good, practical, substantial stuff! I appreciate the concise presentation of information in your book. In these days of 1000-page tomes on every aspect of programming and design, it's refreshing to see someone who can say more with less!
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