AS MY COAUTHOR Alex always says, we wanted to write a book we would like to own and read for ourselves. To begin with, I want to thank Alex for all his patience, hard work, and great knowledge. Without him, this book wouldn't be nearly as good.

I am grateful to Mary James, our former acquisitions editor, who contacted me about writing a book on Spring but listened to my ideas that formed the basis of this book. Without her support and guidance, this book wouldn't have become a reality. No words would be enough to thank Adaobi Obi Tulton, who patiently worked on all the details while keeping most of the schedule stresses away from us. And thanks, of course, to everyone at Wrox/Wiley who got this book on the shelves. Thanks, also, to Reza Rahman for all his encouragement.

I must thank three important people who had a huge impact on where I am in my professional life in terms of software.

First, thanks to my dad, Mustafa Yener, for buying me my first computer, a C64, at an early age while I was asking for slot cars. That computer is where I wrote my very first codes.

Second, thanks to my thesis advisor, Prof. Mahir Vardar, whom I owe all the early guidance I needed to start my career.

Finally, thanks to my life-time mentor and friend (also my ex-boss) Naci Dai, who taught me almost anything I know about being a professional software developer.

—MURAT

WE ARE VERY PROUD of this, our first book, and hope that you will get as much from reading it as we have writing it. We approached writing this with the perspective that it should be the kind of book we would buy if we hadn't written it. We have achieved that.

However, this book would not have been possible without the dedication, patience, and understanding of the many others who have contributed directly and indirectly to its creation. We would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the dedicated and experienced team at Wiley Publishing. They have stuck with us through thick and thin and believed that it was all possible. We would like to give special thanks to Mary James, our acquisitions editor, whose support made this book a reality. Thanks also to Adaobi Obi Tulton, whose patience and gentle nudges kept us on our toes and whose attention to detail saved us from tripping over ourselves. I would like to thank my coauthor, Murat Yener, for his inspiration and sense of humor that makes this book unique; and finally, but not least, I would like to thank my wife, Maria Eugenia García García, for her total support and understanding while writing this book. Thank you.

—ALEX