5 comments about Unix Network Programming, Volume 1: The Sockets Networking API (3rd Edition) (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series).

1. The book contains everything that I want to know about the Unix Sockets API. The book is well structured, and the explanations are generally good. I would give it 4½ stars if it was possible.
   
   I do have a few minor gripes though. The text can be a bit dull compared to other books. I bought "Programming with POSIX(R) Threads" by David R. Butenhof at the same time, and this book is much more entertaining while still factual and correct.
   
   I dislike that all the examples in the book uses a special header defined in the Appendix. That makes it impossible to use snippets of code from the examples to make your own applications.



2. This book is excellent. I had previously bought "Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment" by the same author and I loved it so now that I have to do network programming in Linux I got a copy of UNP. The book is well organized and has a lot more information than I expected (Raw sockets, Packet capture, IPv6 etc). Everything is explained clearly and with a lot of examples. It's a shame that the author passed away because I would buy any other book he wrote. Buy this book, it's expensive but It's so professional that is a "must have" for anyone that's going to be programming network applications in UNIX systems.
   
   Thank you, Richard Stevens. Rest in Peace.



3. This book consists of "in the trenches" information Mr. Stevens learned over the years by reading source, testing thoroughly, documenting extensively, and assembling carefully all this data into one heck of a book on Unix programming. I feel certain in declaring that many who've developed code on Unix know instantly of Stevens' works. This update to his book appears just as thorough.
   
   I do agree with a previous reviewer who was unhappy with the code samples' dependency on a header file in the back of the book. It's a clumsy technique, but it's difficult to imagine another way to accomplish the goals of including the header.



4. If you are reading this review you probably are looking for a comprehensive text on socket programming. Look no further. This is the One. You can stop reading reviews trying to find the perfect one and go hit the Add To Shopping Cart button with confidence. Detailed, comprehensive and clear. A favorite.



5. The Best series of books to learn Network programming from. The BEST in the world. Nothing comes close.

5 comments about Eclipse IDE Pocket Guide.

1. I found the book to contain several tips and tricks that were new to me and I have been using Eclipse for over two years now. I would highly recommend this book to new Eclipse IDE users to help you get a leg up on learning the Eclipse IDE. I found this book well worth the price and will be looking for more pocket guide books by O'Reilly to add to my bookshelf.



2. I expected a little more from this book than creating a simple java file and compiling it. This book is for someone who is new to IDEs. This is *NOT* for someone trying for a quick reference to migrate from another IDE to Eclipse - which was my purpose.



3. The most common comment from the people I showed this book to was "I wish I had it when I started using Eclipse".
   
   While this is a very small book, the contents have been selected to give you a best start with the main features of the Eclipse IDE. The topics are short but concise and include scattered tips for the points of interest.
   
   If you're just starting with this IDE, the Eclipse IDE Pocket Guide will give you a great head start and will continue helping you as a lovely reference to refer back to as the features become familiar. Having all of these critical features pointed out earlier will save you a lot of bother in the future, since you'll be annoyed if you only find out about them much later by accident or experimentation!
   
   Experienced users are less likely to get much from it though. The authors made a decision between content and size, and I feel they chose to stick with a smaller, simpler book than I would have expected. There is a final section on places to go for more information, but it just refers to various community sites.
   
   I wish I had this book when I started using Eclipse.



4. I've come to expect a lot from O'Reilly guides, and this one didn't let me down. It really helped me past some areas of confusion I had with Eclipse, although I think I may want a larger book eventually that gets into more detail on some of the add-ins.



5. I thought this would be a handy little "tips and tricks" reference. It basically just tells you all the obvious stuff you already figured out on your own. Save your money and just use the doc from the internet.

5 comments about Pragmatic Unit Testing in C# with NUnit, 2nd Edition.

1. You keep hearing about it.
   "Unit Testing, Unit Testing, Unit Testing"
   The time is now. Stop talking about and start becoming a more responsible developer.
   This book takes you through the scenarios. Well written, and easy to get going.
   This book has been the key ingrediant to get other developers at my company involved with NUnit testing.
   
   NUnit is freely available. If you have VS2005Pro, then plugging in NUnit make the most sense.



2. This is a great introduction to writing unit tests in C# with NUnit. The authors do a good job of explaining why unit tests should be created, how having unit tests are better than not having unit tests, and what exactly should be coded for in a unit test. The book is well-written, easy to follow, and includes helpful guidelines for things that might be confusing to developers.
   
   The real strength of this book is not the author's approach to writing unit tests, but rather they clearly illustrate what exactly should be tested in a unit test. The authors show how adhering to the guidelines they set forth results in unit tests that are well-written and fail at appropriate times. The authors then generalize this to some extent and provide an excellent discussion on the properties of a good unit test.
   
   My favorite section of the book was actually one of the appendices. In the first appendix, the authors go through a list of gotchas--both in writing unit tests in general and specific to unit tests in C#. This is a very short discussion (only 6 pages), but they identify some issues I've seen with poorly written unit tests.
   
   This is a great book as an introduction to writing unit tests. The authors clearly explain why unit tests should be written, they show clearly what should be tested in a unit test, and they describe some of the problems that have been avoided by writing intelligent unit tests.



3. The book is packed with practical advice on unit testing. Why should you do unit testing, what do you need to know to write good tests, how do you know if you're writing good tests, how can unit tests not only improve your code, but also your design, can unit tests doom a project (if not done right) --- you'll find answers to all of these questions and more. The authors also give numerous short code examples that help solidify the concepts. You'll also find extensive references and links to web-sites where appropriate. The authors' writing style is fluid. If you enjoy reading good technical books, you'll read this like a novel!



4. I have to respectfully disagree with all the fawning reviews. It's a chatty, drawn out, tedious read, something of an accomplishment given the fact that it's only ~200 pages long. Frankly, anything more then something like the O'Reilly Pocket Reference is overkill on this subject. NUnit is a snap to use and the freely available documentation and tutorials are more than adequate and not nearly so time-consuming to digest.
   
   The first passage that discusses actual test coding (~20 pages or so into the book) presents a simple case where a method should accept an integer array as a parameter and return the largest element. The book then explains how this function, if it behaves properly, should perform. A series of simple test cases are discussed before we get to the real toughie for all you computer scientists out there - a data set consisting of negative integers. A test vector consisting of the array [-9,-8,-7] is passed to the method and -7 is returned. The book explains 'It might look odd, but indeed -7 is larger than -9. We're glad we straightened that out now, rather than in the debugger or in production code where it might not be so obvious.'
   
   ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? Just what audience was this thing written for? One would have thought that that little gem wouldn't have been necessary... but in fact that is the tone of the entire book. Expect to have your hand held in this manner throughout. If that's the sort of thing that appeals to you, you'll love this one. If, on the other hand, you're trying to learn to incorporate NUnit testing into C# development in an efficient, professional manner, save your money and time and read the NUnit docs.



5. This is a decent getting started book, but it doesn't give good coverage of things such as NUnit projects or using app.config files with NUnit.
   
   Unfortunately, this book isn't good as a stand-alone. I'll admit that it did help me get started, but it lacks so much that I can't give it more stars. A second volume that covers more advanced topics is suggested, or the next edition can add the missing parts.

1 comments about Adobe ColdFusion 8 Web Application Construction Kit, Volume 3: Advanced Application Development (Web Application Construction Kit).

1. I got this book, along with Volume 1 and 2, and I will say that I was more than a little disappointed. The biggest issue that I have is that half the book is not included in the book. Basically, in the front of this volume, it says that chapters 41-54 are only on-line. For me, I like having the books for reference when I am not at my computer, so having those sections on-line only are more than a little annoying!
   
   I also noticed more typo's in this volume than the other two. The actual content in the book is fairly helpful and have helped me out.
   
   -Matt

No comments about Beginning Programming All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)).

No comments about Maven: The Definitive Guide.

5 comments about SCJA Sun Certified Java Associate Study Guide for Test CX-310-019, 2nd Edition - Incredible Update to the former ExamScam Book.

1. Excellent book that covers the exam material well. I bought this book and the sample questions book. Leisurely studied for a few weeks and passed the exam. Make sure you are scoring higher then 80% on all practice exams and make sure you understand the concepts, don't just memorize the questions.
   
   All in all - excellent book, it is a must get for anyone prepping for the exam



2. This book is really the standard if you want to get certified. All of the exam objectives are covered, it's funny and easy to read, and its full with mock tests and sample SCJA exams that are very similar to the real exam you write in the prometric center.
   
   If you can pass the exams in the book, you'll have no problem passing the exam. Just make sure you understand why certain answers to the mock exams are right, and why certain answers are wrong. It's all explained thoroughly in the book, but don't take anything for granted.
   
   The book is written in a very easy to read, conversational style. I actually read half the book in one sitting. It wasn't like reading a technical book, but instead, like having a fun and casual conversation with an expert in the field.
   
   This is the book you need to pass the exam.



3. I am not a huge fan of the certification process but I have noticed that many recruiters consider certifications when deciding between interview candidates so here I am. I took Java as part of my college curriculum some number of years ago so I am not a total newbie although I don't use it on a daily basis. I read the book, went through all the questions, sat the exam, and passed with an 82 so from my perspective the book worked. The book does a pretty good job of covering exam topics and I would recommend it even if you have some Java programming education/experience. I don't think the author will have a second career as a stand-up comedian any time soon but I praise his endeavor to make things a little interesting and trying to keep the reader from dosing off. (which I did on many occasions anyway despite his best efforts)
   
   The only thing I would do differently is carefully review the exam objectives on Sun's website and review the applicable sections in the book or even other sources for anything that I was hazy on. The exam objectives accurately define what you need to know to pass in pretty good detail so study them carefully.



4. This book has several errors which sometimes make me confused. I have to try the question in a real project to test whether the answer is virtually correct. However, since 310-019 is pretty much easy, this book still can be your guide, and you do not have so many choices in Amazon.com, do you?



5. excellent book if your wanta pass the SCJA. I just cannot believe this little book covers all parts of the exam. From MIDlets, J2EE, EJB's to Strings.
   
   You will need to give yourself sometime to study. The exam is for IT managers NOT developers and thats why I failed it the first time....just an FYI

4 comments about Big Java.

1. Big java is a good place to begin learning how to program, and to begin learning the Java language. It teaches all the basic control structures and syntax necessary to begin programming quickly. They also have an optional WileyPlus program for testing / additional review and source code. It might have been nice if the source code was included for free with the book on a Cd or through a download but still a good book.



2. Don't get me wrong; this is a good Java text. The concepts are explained in a pretty clear manner, which is a trick when trying to explain OOP concepts to someone who has never programmed (which is the book's target audience). But that also leads me to my main criticism of the book: it tries to cover too much material. Anyone who knows C or C++ will find significant chunks of the book to be only review. Even Visual Basic coders will find parts of the book that cover stuff they already know (e.g. rudimentary programming concepts).
   
   So if you've never written a computer program, and you want to learn Java, this might be your best bet (although your goal -- and the price of the book -- are a bit daunting). If you already know how to program, but don't know about objects or Java, I would recommend Eckel's "Thinking in Java" (4th edition), or "Head First Java" from O'Reilly.



3. Having never taken a program course before this, I was pleasantly surprised at the candid nature of Horstmann's writing. Often, author of textbooks will sound promising in their introductions but not deliver in the execution of a tome. Here, however, we find in Horstmann a author gifted at explaining difficult concepts with a lucidity that cannot always be taken for granted. Bravo!



4. So-so ho hum textbook. Only got it as it was required for a course I was taking. I would NOT recommend this as a resource to learn the language - you are gonna get rid of it as soon as the class is over. Buy it as cheap as you can and dump it after the class.

5 comments about Pro MySQL (Expert's Voice in Open Source).

1. Highly indicated reading for any database designer involved in developing a major application or in optimizing database operations using MySQL, this intermediate/advanced level book assumes the reader has a general knowledge of database operations and some familiarity with MySQL database system. However, should such awareness be lacking, the book is sprinkled generously with additional source of information to remedy the deficiency. From conceptualizing and elaborating a database to fit business needs to implementing it in an efficient manner, the author takes the reader deep into the inner workings of MySQL in order to optimize database operations. Tools for benchmarking and profiling, which are essentials to indicate where coding performance could be improved, are explored in an insightful manner.
   As much as it is possible to make a book on data processing, much less database innards interesting and captivating reading, the author has done an excellent job in this regard.
   Overall, a must reading for any MySQL developer looking into enhancing his/her skills.



2. For people like me who have a good understanding of MYSQL, the next logical step would be this book. I already know about stored procedures, transactions and the basics of triggers, but I want to learn more about these topics in more "real-world" scenarios in how to develop larger, enterprise-wide applications. Also I want to know more about other advanced topics that I may not even know to think about. If this sounds like you as well, then read on...
   
   The author starts in with reviewing how business requirements and the software development cycle can be part of database development. This a great chapter for people like me who would like to learn how different approaches are taken from different IT perspectives in a team environment (business analysts, application developers, and project managers) This chapter gives you a good understanding of how the other side thinks.
   
   The next chapter focuses on the importance of proper indexing and strategies as pertaining to data storage. Because once your databases reach to the multiple gigabits of storage space, you need to very focused on how long each request takes. A few seconds here and there begin to add up and can cause serious issues if not taken into consideration early in your database design. Like me who only deals with small to an occasional medium-size database I never really had to think about this before.
   
   The next chapter focuses on transaction processing in MYSQL which is one of the more difficult concepts for many and I am in the process now of reading it. I really like the author's explanations and examples. Each point is explained thoroughly and in an easy to read manner.
   
   The rest of the book goes into more advanced topics (system architecture, benchmarking and profiling, security, replication and clustering) as well as giving more detail and explanation to topics that may only be briefly covered in other MYSQL books (stored procedures, functions, and views).
   
   If you already know the basics of MYSQL and want to really advance your knowledge with "real-world" scenarios, this is the book for you.



3. This book is a great expert overview of all that is current in MySQL 5. This covers both the SQL interaction with the database and the management. There are aspects that users often don't use in any SQL platform, and it is a shame. The effort expended to learn stored procedures and custom functions is greatly rewarded in code creation and support. This is another book I rate as ROI super positive.



4. No, I am not associated with the authors in any way. I was looking for a book for MySQL that was beyond "this is a database, here is how you select".
   
   I wanted something more challenging that covered topics like clustering, backups, etc.
   
   This book dives deep into MySQL database use and design, including detailed information on indexes, optimizations, etc.
   
   Very good read. I totally recommend this book.
   
   cbmeeks



5. I've managed to get about halfway through this book so far. It's NOT an easy read. Coverage and detail are excellent, however, and if you're interested in plumbing the depths of how MySql works, I would recommend this book as a solid reference for improving your overall knowledge.

5 comments about Silverlight 1.0 Unleashed.

1. This book was perfect for me. I'm a Flash guy with decent knowledge of JavaScript and I really understand now what's involved if I want to target this plug-in. I like that the book always provided the raw XAML, yet never over-complicated things with obtuse examples that only a Windows developer would understand. Concise writing, nice graphic design and relevant examples, what more do you want?
   
   I should point out that those unfamiliar with basic JavaScript may have a hard time wrapping their heads around how all these pieces interact, but that's more the nature of the technology rather than a fault of the book.



2. As a person who has read all the official documentation cover to cover and other Silverlight books cover to cover I can say that this is the best book on the subject.
   
   Even though I had already read over 500 pages on the subject I was still able to find over a hundred things that I had not encountered anywhere else. One example is animation. He explains how you can set animated "to" in Javascript and you don't need a "from". A animation problem that previously had me stuck for a week was solved with 10 lines of code.
   
   The examples are small and easy to follow. The coding is first rate. The "side bars" all contain priceless information. There is no fluff, if he wrote it down it's important. He also has all the code from the book online (http://www.adamnathan.net/silverlight/code/) where you can alter the examples in your web browser and see the results.
   
   I also read his Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed (WPF) (Unleashed) and that is the best book on that subject so it is not surprising that he was able to nail this one perfectly.



3. This is a good book for an introduction to silverlight, but the argument are not treated so deeply. This book contains an overview of the silverlight engine with a good amount of basic example, it is a good book for everyone that does not know anything about silverlight and want to read the first book on the argument



4. I bought this hoping to learn SL. It only contains information on 1.0 which is very buggy. Granted that the author points out all these issues, but after reading the first few chapters it became apparent that even SL 1.1 is probably significantly improved. I didn't think it was worth the time to learn all the tricks to get around 1.0 issues. The author even states that when 1.0 was released, 1.1 was already in beta. I returned and decided to wait until SL 2.0, which should be in April 2008 or so.



5. Great book to get you started on silverlight. Once I got past Part 1, the book does a great job showing examples on how to use the silverlight elements.