The original Struts project revolutionized Java web development and its rapid adoption resulted in the thousands of Struts-based applications deployed worldwide. Keeping pace with new ideas and trends, Apache Struts 2 has emerged as the product of a merger between the Apache Struts and OpenSymphony WebWork projects, united in their goal to develop an easy-to-use yet feature-rich framework. Struts 2 represents a revolution in design and ease of use when compared to classic Struts. It adds exciting and powerful features such as a plugin framework, JavaServer Faces integration, and XML-free configuration.

Struts 2 In Action introduces the Apache Struts 2 web application framework and shows you how to quickly develop professional, production-ready modern web applications. Written by Don Brown, one of the leading developers of Struts 2, Chad Davis, a passionate Struts 2 developer, along with Scott Stanlick, this book gently walks you through the key features of Struts 2 in example-driven, easy-to-digest sections.

Struts 2 in Action delivers accurate, seasoned information that can immediately be put to work. This book is designed for working Java web developers-especially those with some background in Struts 1 or WebWork. The core content, covering key framework components such as Actions, Results, and Interceptors, includes new features like the annotation-based configuration options. You'll find chapters on Struts 2 plugins, FreeMarker, and migration from Struts 1 and WebWork 2. Finally, new topics such as the Ajax tags, Spring Framework integration, and configuration by convention give familiar subjects new depth.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 11 Ratings

Well deserved - 2009-05-26
Reviewer Rating:
This is an awesome book about a dying breed, Struts 2. Struts 2 still has the mentality of acting on Requests, so the reason for the extinction.
But to their credit, the authors did a great job in explaining Struts 2. Its a great leap of change from Struts 1.x crap.

if you are considering moving to Struts 2, then this book is a must. There are materials out there to search, but none like what the book reveals.

Enjoy

Review by Celinio Fernandes - 2009-04-18
Reviewer Rating:
The book is divided in 5 parts.

In the first part, the authors give us a quick overview of the Struts 2 framework architecture (MVC pattern, interceptors, ValueStack, OGNL) and start with an Hello World sample. The 2 types of configuration are detailed : configuration through XML-based files (struts.xml) and configuration through Java annotations.

In the second part, the authors cover the action in Struts 2. It is relatively well detailed and well explained. Then a chapter deals with interceptors : their principle, the declaration, the advantages, the existing interceptors and how to create an interceptor if none of the existing ones meets the requirements. The OGNL language, which makes it possible to use the objects stored in the ValueStack, is presented for the first time in the book.

The third part deals with the different tags. I appreciated the rational indentation of paragraphs and chapters based on the 4 categories of tags : data tags, control-flow tags, UI tags and miscellaneous tags. Then I did like the presentation of each tag: first an explanation, then a small array describing the attributes, types, (...), and finally a small snippet of code to illustrate a concrete usage. Then the authors discuss again about OGNL and its utilisation to access data items not only coming from the ValueStack (included in te ActionContext) but also from a different object from the ActionContext, which "contains all the data that makes up the context in which an action occurs". I also liked the quick presentation of JSP alternatives such as Velocity and Freemarker, for the rendering of the result pages.

The fourth part shows how to integrate Struts 2 applications with the Spring plug-in and JPA. An entire chapter is dedicated to the very useful validation framework that comes with Struts 2, with XML files and annotations. The chapter is well written, with abundance of code. Same thing about the next chapter regarding internationalization.

Finally the last and fifth part is a bit more catch-all since it covers various subjects which, as the authors put it, "help us work smarter." Such as the use of plug-ins (like the classic Tiles framework for the presentation, or JFreeChart for the creation of graphs), unit tests with JUnit, how to migrate from Struts 1.X to Struts 2, how to prevent duplicate form submits ...

What I liked about this book : The source code of each chapter is appropriately packaged in the archive (war file) of the final application, except for the last chapters.

What I liked the least in this book :I found the book maybe a bit too verbose for my taste, regarding a few passages. I mean I would have preferred that the authors went directly to the main points, especially when the reader lacks time to go through all the details and learn or when the reader only wants the minimum knowledge in order to develop. The lack of chapter dedicated to the integration of Javascript libraries and Ajax components in Struts 2.

Great Resource - 2009-11-14
Reviewer Rating:
This is a great resource for coming up to speed with Struts 2. Very well written and good explanations of the inner workings of Struts 2.

Excellent book with some considerations - 2009-08-19
Reviewer Rating:
Struts 2 is a good and exciting book. Easy to read and learn about almost everything written in.

Nevertheless, I have some considerations.

1. The examples don't cover all chapters (excluding 12-15).
2. Some examples, like Hibernate and Spring integration, don't use the best programming practices (Design Patterns, etc)
3. A lack of a chapter covering AJAX libs.

But, I would say that is one of the most exciting books I've ever read.

Thank you!

Read this for a thorough understanding of struts 2 - 2009-05-22
Reviewer Rating:
I read this book after having read Budi Kurniwaran's Struts 2 design and programing:tutorial series. While the Kurniwaran book was really good at getting me started quickly with struts 2, this book had a lot more details and explanation of what happens behind the scene, and how the framework is built.It does a great job of tying in explaination on topics such as ajax and spring integration into the overall discussion about the different components, of the framework and best practices.

I think if you want to get up and running quickly with struts 2, Kurniawaran's tutorial book is the way to go. However once you've started coding, I think you should read this book to get a thorough understanding of the framework. These two books go together.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Internet/Online
Programming

Sub-Categories:
Internet/Online > Web Development
Programming > Java