Preface

The vision for this project began with the idea to write an example-driven book on Enterprise JavaBeans. We wanted to create a text that was not too long, yet one that contains enough substance to satisfy the enterprise architect. We looked for examples that apply to real-world requirements but are not overly complicated. We aimed for robust solutions that readers could adapt to their own particular needs. We applied industry-standard patterns to our designs with the hope that readers would have more success in applying a newly learned technology. Furthermore, we wanted our examples to show a complete solution, from the underlying database structure to the web component front end.

About the Front Cover

The front cover photograph shows the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, Spain. It is approximately 2,000 years old and delivers potable water to Segovia from the Frio River about 18 kilometers away. Its age alone is a testament to its exquisite engineering. Consisting of two tiers of arches and over 20,000 stone blocks (bonded with neither mortar nor concrete), the aqueduct's durability comes from its ingenious design and construction.

While recognizing the relatively recent emergence of computer science, we also appreciate that solid engineering is not new and is a goal well worth attaining.