O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Building and testing with Gradle.

This slim volume, the first to discuss the Gradle software build system, provides developers with an overview of the features and capabilities of this new, up-and-coming project for automating application compilation, testing and release. Beginning with a project overview, the work covers Gradle tasks, Ant, Maven and Gradle comparisons, testing with Gradle, and multiproject builds. Chapters include numerous code examples and notes and access to additional resources, including sample files, is provided. Berglund and McCullough are software developers and educators. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Developing BlackBerry Tablet Applications with Flex 4.5

Intended for developers of all skill levels, this slim guide provides information on creating applications for Blackberry-based tablet computers using Adobe Flex 4.5 and Actionscript 3. Beginning with a programmer's basic "hello world" application the work covers topics such as application layouts, permissions and configuration, settings, APIs for interacting with hardware and native software components, and file and operating system operations. Chapters include illustrations, tips, and code examples and access to additional online resources is provided. Tretola is an applications development manager for a software firm and is an expert in Flex development. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Gamification by design; implementing game mechanics in web and mobile apps.

Intended for application designers, marketers, and product managers, this volume on interface design explores the ways in which gaming concepts can be applied to all manner of computer, mobile, and web applications, increasing interest and drawing new customers and users. Beginning with an overview of game fundamentals, the work discusses topics such as player motivation and game mechanics, and design for engagement. Additional chapters explore case studies in gamification and two tutorials in coding game mechanics. Chapters include numerous color screenshots and sidebars and access to additional online materials is provided. Zichermann and Cunningham are gamification advocates. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

HBase; the definitive guide.

Intended for experienced database administrators and IT professionals, this guide to Hbase provides a comprehensive overview of this cutting edge, non-relational database for the Hadoop operating system. Deployed in situations requiring random access to massive amounts of data, the HBase system is used by Google and Facebook, and the software presents a new way of thinking about data for professionals and those familiar with SQL based systems. The volume covers installation, simple and advanced client APIs, administrative features, clients, MapReduce integration, cluster monitoring, performance tuning, and cluster administration. Chapters include numerous code examples, notes and sidebars and access to additional online resources is provided through a companion website. George is a developer for HBase (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Head first jQuery

This guide to jQuery and JavaScript for intermediate web developers provides introductory information for adding dynamic interactive jQuery functions to websites. The volume covers events and functions, page manipulation, effects and animation, custom functions, Ajax integration, data management, external APIs and UI design features. The work is written in a conversational style and presented in a unique format with several line drawn illustrations and photographs per page as well as numerous notations, arrows and side notes. Benedetti and Cranley are web developers working in Portland, OR. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

HTML5; the missing manual.

For website designers with basic knowledge of original HTML syntax, CSS, and basic JavaScript, this guide to HTML5 provides a detailed overview of the new features of the latest version of the programming language of the web. Beginning with an introduction to new features of HTML5 the volume covers features such as web forms, audio and video, Canvas, CSS3 styling, data storage, offline applications, web server communications and intermediate JavaScript tricks. Chapters include numerous screenshots, code examples, sidebars and scripts and access to additional online resources including sample code, example websites and practice materials, is provided. MacDonald is a trainer and technology writer. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

JavaScript web applications.

Intended for intermediate to experienced JavaScript programmers, this guide provides detailed information on methods for moving program state to the client side of web applications in order to get the most out of cutting edge browser technologies. Topics discussed include MVC and classes, events and observing, controllers and state, dependency management, working with local files, debugging and deployment, the spine and backbone libraries and the JavaScriptMVC library. Chapters include numerous code examples and access to additional online resources, including the sample application from which examples in the text are drawn, is provided. MacCaw is a freelance Ruby and JavaScript web application developer. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Jenkins; the definitive guide.

For software quality control professionals and developers interested in implementing continuous integration regimes in development processes, this guide to Jenkins provides detailed, practical advice for getting up and running with this popular Java-based, open source software revision tool. Beginning with chapters on installing and configuring a Jenkins server, the volume covers such topics as setting up build jobs, automated testing, security, notifications, code quality, advanced and distributed builds, automated deployments and system maintenance. Chapters include code examples and screenshots and access to additional online resources is provided. Smart is a Java development consultant. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Learning SPARQL; querying and updating with SPARQL 1.1.

This introductory guide to learning the SPARQL multi-database querying language provides practical instruction on using this important tool for working with RDF accessible data across diverse sources, and integral parts of cutting edge semantic web technology. Beginning with an overview of semantic web principles, RDF and linked data, the work discusses topics such as crafting SPARQL queries, copying, converting and creating data, data types and functions, updating data with SPARQL, and a brief introduction to creating SPARQL enabled applications. Chapters include numerous code examples, tips, and tricks and access to additional online resources is provided. DuCharme is a semantic web application developer. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Making things talk, 2d ed.

The second edition of this guide to do-it-yourself technology projects is fully updated to take advantage of changes and improvements in technology, especially the widespread use and development of Arduino open source hardware platform. This book focuses on communications technologies, providing thirty three projects involving sensor communications, automation systems, and physical computing. Topics discussed include simple and complex network communications, location and identification systems, mobile to physical world connections, and communications protocols. Projects include step-by-step instructions, full-color illustrations, and numerous code examples. Access to additional online resources, including sample files and links to materials suppliers, is provided. Igoe teaches physical computing and networking at New York University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Programming social applications.

Intended for developers working in social media application development, this guide to the collection and use of social network user information and data provides detailed information on the nuts and bolts of building user targeted, multi-platforms integrated applications. Beginning with a discussion of social application container core principles, chapters cover such topics as OpenSocial uses and APIs, porting profiles and friendships, sharing and data requests, OAuth and OprnID, and social application security. Chapters include detailed code examples and screenshots and access to additional online resources, including sample applications, is provided. LeBlanc is a California-based software developer and social application expert. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)