The only current developer-driven book positioned and based on Apache Struts 1.2 (which is still the most widely used and most popular MVC-based web application development framework) Condensed tutorial and lab format, where material has been tested in actual class settings Includes some preview coverage of the next generation of Struts (2.x), otherwise known as Apache Shale

Practical Apache Struts 2 Web 2.0 Projects is nothing less than one of the first books to cover the agile, lightweight open source Apache Struts 2 Web Framework, an essentially new and improved Struts platform that should meet today’s more agile Java development needs. Apache Struts remains the most popular framework for building Java-driven web sites, despite continued challenges from competitive frameworks and APIs like JavaServer Faces (JSF), Wicket, Grails, and more. The new features incorporated into Struts 2 will help this powerful framework to maintain its top-ranking position for the foreseeable future.

While the look and feel of an enterprise web application is certainly important, developers often find themselves spending far too much time on frontend presentation before coding the business logic of their application. Jakarta Struts addresses this issue by combining Java Servlets, Java ServerPages (JSPs), custom tags, and messaging resources into a unified, reusable framework. The result is a cooperative, synergistic platform that's efficient and suitable for independent developers, large development teams, and everyone in between. Since the initial publication of Programming Jakarta Struts, the Struts open source project has become even more popular. However, documentation for this exciting technology remains woefully limited-most guides are far too basic and lack critical information needed by developers who are writing today's complex web applications. This revised and expanded edition of Programming Jakarta Struts fills the information gap by providing up-to-date information on working with the recently released Struts 1.1. The new edition includes completely new chapters on security and integrating the new JavaServerFaces (JSF) APIs, JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library (JSTL), and Expression Language (EL) with Struts. With each enterprise system he's developed, author Chuck Cavaness has spent many grueling hours learning invaluable lessons about Struts and figuring out the most efficient way to build web applications. He saves you time and headaches by sharing that invaluable real-world experience in a realistic, practical, "here's how to do it" guide on using the Struts Framework to its fullest potential.

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. Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF, ePub, and Kindle eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book.

Struts solves the most common problems of web development. By basing your application on the Struts web application framework, you can reuse proven solutions and focus on what's unique to your own case. Struts is an open-source product distributed by the Apache Software Foundation.

* Instructs the use of Struts to build MVC Web applications and simplify HTML form construction and validation * Provides information on using Object-RelationalBridge to cut down the amount of data-access code necessary to be written and maintained * Teaches how to use Lucene to incorporate search engine functionality into a Web application * Demonstrates how to use Velocity to cleanly separate presentation and Java Code