2 ms·

If you haven't done web development with Java/Struts before, you actually may want to reconsider whether taking this project on with a tight deadline is in your

by rcoder 18y ago

If you haven't done web development with Java/Struts before, you actually may want to reconsider whether taking this project on with a tight deadline is in your best interest. The tool ecosystem is very different for the Java web developer, and I'm afraid you may find yourself spending more time reading API docs and puzzling through XML configuration files than actually writing code. If the client wants Java/Struts code for a good reason (like they have in-house programmers who can maintain Java webapps) your first Java project may not be up to the standards they expect. If they want it for a bad reason (say, because the CIO read about it in an in-flight magazine) then you should be able to push back on the decision and choose a framework with which you're more comfortable.

delano 18y ago
You will be able to pull it off if you learn well under pressure. Java is consistent so it's easy to learn the basics quickly. There are some things that are good to know upfront, like j2d2's comments. I'll also add: 6) It's easy to be verbose in Java and verbosity can quickly tie you into a certain design. Either plan for more learning/design time early or spend that time learning Eclipse (fwiw, I personally don't enjoy using Eclipse, but many people do and it does make refactoring a lot easier). 7) Choosing between similar datatypes can have unexpected impacts. This is re-wording of j2d2's #3. See also: http://www.google.com/search?q=java+vector+vs+arraylist http://www.google.com/search?q=java+vector+vs+arraylist re: Struts 2 specifically, I like it. It's a reasonable and well-designed Java framework. I've used WebWork (which became the codebase for Struts 2) and Struts 2 for several successful projects. (Success in terms of delivering on time and the hand-off to internal developers).
- rcoder 18y ago
  Learning the basics of the Java language is indeed pretty easy. The syntax is fairly consistent (assuming you ignore generics and annotations to start with) and the core class libraries are useful (if a bit eclectic). Regardless, the original poster didn't ask about learning "Hello, World!" He asked about ways to learn both the Java language and the Struts stack on a tight schedule in order to deliver a project to a paying client. That's a tall order, and one I don't think most people can pull off without expert mentoring. There's just too much material to absorb, and having so many unknowns going in to a project will make cost estimation very difficult indeed. The original poster might be able to reasonably offer a discounted billing rate and/or more relaxed delivery schedule in order to manage expectations, but I personally haven't encountered many people doing hired-gun J2EE consulting on the cheap.

by rcoder 18y ago

delano 18y ago

You will be able to pull it off if you learn well under pressure. Java is consistent so it's easy to learn the basics quickly. There are some things that are good to know upfront, like j2d2's comments. I'll also add: 6) It's easy to be verbose in Java and verbosity can quickly tie you into a certain design. Either plan for more learning/design time early or spend that time learning Eclipse (fwiw, I personally don't enjoy using Eclipse, but many people do and it does make refactoring a lot easier). 7) Choosing between similar datatypes can have unexpected impacts. This is re-wording of j2d2's #3. See also: http://www.google.com/search?q=java+vector+vs+arraylist http://www.google.com/search?q=java+vector+vs+arraylist re: Struts 2 specifically, I like it. It's a reasonable and well-designed Java framework. I've used WebWork (which became the codebase for Struts 2) and Struts 2 for several successful projects. (Success in terms of delivering on time and the hand-off to internal developers).

rcoder 18y ago
Learning the basics of the Java language is indeed pretty easy. The syntax is fairly consistent (assuming you ignore generics and annotations to start with) and the core class libraries are useful (if a bit eclectic). Regardless, the original poster didn't ask about learning "Hello, World!" He asked about ways to learn both the Java language and the Struts stack on a tight schedule in order to deliver a project to a paying client. That's a tall order, and one I don't think most people can pull off without expert mentoring. There's just too much material to absorb, and having so many unknowns going in to a project will make cost estimation very difficult indeed. The original poster might be able to reasonably offer a discounted billing rate and/or more relaxed delivery schedule in order to manage expectations, but I personally haven't encountered many people doing hired-gun J2EE consulting on the cheap.