Applying Enterprise Javabeans 2.1: Component-based Development for the J2EE Platform (Java (Addison-Wesley))

Most books on EJBs are strong on theory, but tend to leave out many details of how to implement components in real projects. That's where this text steps in, providing real code (and real design decisions) for implementing different kinds of JavaBeans, like session and entity beans. Better yet, it contains a case study of a human resources benefits enrolment system that integrates data from different vendors, using EJBs as the glue holding them together. (Using fictitious vendor names like "Star Enterprise" "Wombat" and "Providence", the book shows how EJBs can lead to successful enterprise integration.)

Subsequent chapters look at different aspects of this system, from session beans (including stateful beans used to manage sessions) to detailed examples of entity beans in action. There are plenty of state transition diagrams (that show the inner workings of EJBs in a variety of scenarios) and source code (useful for Java developers). Without actually anchoring this material in an actual application server (which would make the book even more practical), it does a good job of fleshing out the EJB standard for real projects, exposing what really goes on between application server "containers" and the beans they manage, including activation and passivation states.

Final sections examine transactions and security options for components, including the use of declarative statements in XML descriptors to simplify these aspects of EJB design. Finally, there's a reference for built-in EJB classes and APIs.

Overall, this book can help put EJBs within reach for programmers and managers. Its mix of practical expert advice and sample source code will help demystify EJB components and how to use them to create successful, state-of-the-art enterprise systems. --Richard Dragan

The book covers all the usual topics one would expect in a book on EJBs. It starts with a general overview and then takes a look at each of the various bean types. Session beans (stateful and stateless), message driven beans, and entity beans are each covered. An application example is discussed which includes packaging of the application for production. The following chapter covers integrating web services into your EJB applications. Subsequent chapters cover transactions and security. The authors have done a great job of explaining not just how to code EJBs but also how they work within an application server, which you need to know to use EJBs successfully.

The book is similar to the O'Reilly book in size and scope although this book has the advantage of being more current. Overall, the book is well written, easy to follow, and extremely useful. If you are new to EJBs or if you are looking for a book to bring you up to date on the new specification then this book will make a good choice.

Clear, yet thorough introduction of EJB, 2001-04-24
I found this book very easy to read and the fact that it uses a couple of accessible examples all the way through the book makes it easier to understand the relevance of what is being discussed. It is probably most suitable for people who are new to EJB, or like me, coming from a COM+/MTS background with only a small amount of Java knowledge.