Review of ‘Better, Faster, Lighter Java’

TBR writes “The biggest problems facing Java development, according to Bruce Tate and Justin Gehtland, are bloat and increasing complexity. These related problems are best exemplified in the complex, top-heavy frameworks of J2EE, particularly those frameworks pushed by the larger vendors. The alternative, ‘better, faster, lighter Java’, is what the authors propose as an escape from this creeping complexity that is making big Java developments increasingly costly and problematic.

The key to solving the problem is to focus on some of the key virtues that differentiates successful solutions from ugly kludges with high-maintenance costs and snails pace development rates. These key virtues include a high degree of decoupling, simple code that is well-focused and easily understood, simple frameworks that help rather than hinder.

And how do we achieve these laudable aims? It’s not by using heavy-weight processes or by getting into the depths of container managed persistence using EJB.”