Catalog

Desktop Java Primer is written for Java developers that have some experience with desktop development and now want to take their skills to the next level. The first seven chapters of the book cover core open source libraries in areas such as threading, layout, data binding, and validation, which can drastically speed up the development of desktop applications written in Swing. Each chapter features detailed code examples and images to walk the reader through the API being covered. Chapter 8 features a detailed discussion of how the MVC pattern and its variations (Presentation Model and Model View Presenter) can be used to write cleaner more testable applications. The chapter then details the construction of an RSS reader using these concepts along with the API's covered in earlier chapters. Upcoming chapters will address deployment, Java Web Start, GUI testing, and the SwingLabs (JDIC and JDNC) components.

What Readers Are Saying:

Gregg Bolinger (Java Ranch Reviewer 10 out of 10 Horseshoes)
Recently I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of Desktop Java Live by Scott Delap (who also runs clientjava.com). Desktop Java Live isn't your typical 'how-to' java book full of API references and examples of how to create JFrame's, JComboBoxes, and custom widgets. DJL is a pioneering book distributed by a pioneering publisher (SourceBeat) that teaches you how to write desktop applications using best practices as well as how to use a plethora of open source libraries to enhance and ease the development of your applications...

Jasper Potts:
There is definitely room for some more articles on using Swing in the desktop... There is a real need for Swing books that tell you how to do things in the real world. [Desktop Java Live] is the first book I have come across that is trying to do that. Even all the books called "Advanced ...","Extreme...", etc., all they do is redo the Java [API] docs for the more advanced components.

Romain Guy:
...a cool book about Java desktop applications. I had the chance to read a few chapters before this release and I can assure you this is all good. The book is refreshing as it does not give you another full coverage of boring Swing components. Instead, it shows you how to use some great libraries (JGoodies Bindings for instance), it helps you understand Swing threading model, how to use layouts, etc.

JavaPerformanceTuning.com
I would wholeheartedly recommend you check out chapter 5 of Scott Delap's book which implements an automatic detector of Swing threading violations - a tool that every GUI developer should include in their everyday development suite.