Hi guys, my company runs a site that primarily has its backend logic coded in Perl. It works fine but ultimately we are headed to something Java driven. I do plan on studying this and would like to start setting up a Java environment on another server in our company so when the time comes I at least have a headstart. Does anyone have a recommendation on where to begin? Just interested in generalities now. JW
+1
A:
What are you planning to study? All Java or just the web service extensions?
If you come from Perl, I must suggest you starting from "hello world" with a Java cookbook, then you can start moving towards web services after a while. Another good book about web service is what you might need.
Finally, when beginning to build the web service, I suggest you two things:
- Design the WSDL independently from Java code that will implement it. It's very important for cross-platform interoperability. Try to use Altova XMLSpy or a similar tool to define the pure WSDL as a design contract
- Deploy with Axis
I don't know how to propose to move this question to Stackoverflow, because you can find LOTS of answers there
djechelon
2010-10-29 15:03:30
@djechelon: Just the web service stuff. I actually have a rudimentary understanding of Java already. I would have asked this question on S.O. but it's been my experience that this kind of question only results in "why didn't you ask this on S.U.?"
Jane Wilkie
2010-10-29 15:06:03
Hahaha, ok then you can start from the second book. Once you finish with it, you'll be mastering web services more than I do (because I'm a .NET miscredant)... EDIT: here we are on SO anyway :)
djechelon
2010-10-29 15:08:36
I would STRONGLY recommend that you don't use Axis unless you have no other options (e.g. you're forced to by work). First of all, Axis is very outdated -- at the very least you should use Axis2. However, Axis2 is such a poorly documented pile of garbage that I would suggest you look elsewhere: Metro, XFire, etc. See http://www.bileblog.org/2006/05/axis2-why-bother/ for a somewhat dated, but still relevant explanation of why you want to avoid any version of Axis.
Segphault
2010-10-29 15:13:17
@Segphault I personally like working with Axis. So it can't be all that bad.
extraneon
2010-10-29 15:28:48
A:
You need J2EE
http://download.oracle.com/javaee/1.4/tutorial/doc/
Java Tutorial
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
General Java Stuff
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/newtojava/overview/gettingstarted-jsp-138588.html
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/javase/webapps-1-138794.html
About the Class Path
http://kevinboone.net/classpath.html
Jay
2010-10-29 15:24:00
@Jay: WOW! Now THAT is a good answer. Hopefully I can start with more of a "Hello World" and go from there.
Jane Wilkie
2010-10-29 15:30:01
There is a "Hello World" example. http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/getStarted/application/index.html
Jay
2010-10-29 15:55:26