Beginning Google Web Toolkit: From Novice to Professional

The open source, lightweight Google Web Toolkit (GWT) is a framework that allows Java developers to build Rich Internet Applications (RIA), more recently called Ajax applications, in Java. Typically, writing these applications requires a lot of JavaScript development. However, Java and JavaScript are very distinctively different languages (although the name suggests otherwise), therefore requiring a different development process.

In Beginning Google Web Toolkit: From Novice to Professional, you’ll learn to build rich, user–friendly web applications using a popular Java–based Ajax web framework, the Google Web Toolkit. The authors will guide you through the complete development of a GWT front end application with a no–nonsense, down–to–earth approach.

You’ll start with the first steps of working with GWT and learn to understand the concepts and consequences of building this kind of application. During the course of the book, all the key aspects of GWT are tackled pragmatically, as you’re using them to build a real–world sample application. Unlike many other books, the inner workings of GWT and other unnecessary details are shelved, so you can focus on the stuff that really matters when developing GWT applications.

What you’ll learn

• Get a solid foundation to develop RIAs.
• Understand the basics of the GWT Framework and its components.
• Fit GWT into your application’s life cycle and development process.
• Develop rich web front–end GUIs using widgets, composite widgets, panels, and much more.
• Integrate with RPC, and various other data formats.
• Reinforce principles learned throughout the book by working through a real–world sample application created with GWT from scratch.

Who is this book for?

Beginning Google Web Toolkit: From Novice to Professional is written for Java developers of all levels who want to start building Rich Internet Applications. The book assumes no prior knowledge of developing Ajax applications and/or working with JavaScript.

About the Authors

BRAM SMEETS is a Java architect with more than eight years' experience in developing enterprise Java applications. Currently, Bram is technical director at JTeam, a Java software development company based in the Netherlands, and senior consultant at SpringSource. He is a regular speaker at technology-focused conferences such as The Ajax Experience and SpringOne. Using GWT, Bram has delivered several successful RIA projects at JTeam. He's also done Ajax and GWT training for several companies.

URI BONESS is a software engineer and architect with more than eight years' experience developing Java applications. Currently, Uri serves as the chief scientist at JTeam. Over the years, Uri has contributed and initiated several open source projects, including GWToolbox—a set of GWT modules to help simplify the development of GWT applications. Like Bram, Uri too delivered several GWT-based projects and gave several training sessions on the subject. His main technology interests are focused on search and RIA, which he considers to be the real backbone of the new age of enterprise applications.

ROALD BANKRAS is a software engineer and project manager with more than five years of Java experience. Roald has gathered his experience running e-Procurement and custom back-office projects for mid-and large-size companies in the Netherlands. During the last year, Roald has put his knowledge to use implementing a complete fulfillment system using GWT.