Using XML, EJB, Corba, Servlets and SOAP, it is possible to develop very complex and powerful applications. This book shows how to design and implement distributed internet applications based on these Java technologies. Its emphasis is on how to combine the strengths of these different technologies in order to create the best possible applications.

First, the authors establish a foundation in the HTML and Java chapters. Then, they cover Servlets, Corba, EJB, XML, and SOAP and introduce important development tools. Where appropriate, they provide comparisons and analogies to the Microsoft and Open Source world, and throughout the book, Eberhart and Fisher provide a single running example of an online bookstore which serves to explain all the aspects of a distributed application, showing the step-by-step way in which new functionalities are incorporated and how the appropriate technologies are used to achieve the result. All of the tools are public domain, which makes it possible for the reader to try out everything on a PC at home and a comprehensive web site which contains the examples - 'ready to run'.