Reviews BooksApache Axis2 is a revolutionary web service tool as it enhances online experience of users by faster processes of application. This web service tool has been launched in 2004 and was treated as an improved version of the original Axis. Although Axis1 has the ability to provide the expected functions, the rapid development of online applications can easily stress Axis1 which will result to lack of improved performance.
Through Apache Axis2, developers will increase the speed of their online application as it uses StAX. Axis1 uses SAX which is fast in itself but StAX provides something even better in terms of speed in processing. Another key difference is the use of SOAP and REST while the previous version only accepts SOAP.
Axis2 has also widened its services for developers. The pervious version could work as a tool for web services but Axis2 could do even more. Aside from being a core for web services, Axis2 could be implemented as the server for different web services. Instead of being the controller of online applications alone, it has become a powerful storage facility for different online applications.
This tool for web services is available in Java and C. As of this writing, it’s already on version 1.4 (From 0.93). Axis2 could be implemented in any operating system.
Quickstart Apache Axis2 is one of the books of Packt that follows a simple format in writing. It has never bothered to reach more than 200 pages because it doesn’t have to. It’s a short book that is aimed in introducing the user to the wonders of Apache Axis2. At first glance, Packt may be placing itself on the category of publishers that just aims to get a quick buck by hastily commissioning an author to come out with a material. But Packt has never been in that situation and hopefully, this will never be the first time.
Packt may have picked one of the most credible authors for this book. Deepal Jayasinghe is part of the development of Axis2 from the beginning. He has worked with various Apache projects and has been instrumental in different projects of Apache. He has also been working with a lot of tech magazines because of his experience in Apache – writing continuously regarding the development group he is part with. Aside from being part of different Apache projects he is also part of an open source middleware development company.
Chapter 1: Background
Before introducing the reader to Axis2, the reader is first given a short background of web services. The short history of web services and their components are discussed in this book which includes XML, SOAP WS-Addressing and WSDL. Near the end of the first chapter, a quick introduction of Axis2’s capability and the justification on why developers should use Axis2 as part of their development applications. Installation instructions are also discussed. This is very important since Axis2 comes with a lot of distributions. This part of the book aims to explain how to properly install Axis2 in each distribution.
Chapter 2 – 5: Basics
The next chapter of the book aims to explain the general capabilities of Axis2. The architecture of Axis2 is explained at the start of the chapter which provides a great backdrop for the rest of the chapter. Different modules of Axis2 are being explained in this book which is very helpful in dealing with different types of software and online applications.
Chapter 3 explains everything that is needed to know about AXIOM. The basics of AXIOM, how to use AXIOM and steps in working on AXIOM with SOAP is explained in this chapter. Each aspect of AXIOM which relates to web services and its usage in Axis2 is explained in this chapter. A small explanation regarding pull parsing is also explained in this chapter.
The fourth chapter on the other hand aims to explain different execution chains of Axis2. Handlers and Phase are explained in this chapter. Curiously Handlers are only provided with a sample and moves on to advanced techniques. Phase on the other hand is extensively explained in this chapter. A very important write-up in this chapter is the explanation of the different types of Phase and how to properly handle each version.
Chapter 5 is aimed for developers who are familiar with Axis1. The key differences in deployment are discussed in this chapter. Axis2’s familiarity and close relationship with J2EE is shown in this chapter. By using Java, developers are shown on the differences of the previous Axis to the latest version. Deployment descriptions and options are discussed in this chapter.
Chapter 6 provides a detailed explanation of data handling of Axis2. The Static Data, Contexts, Hierarchy and module are explained in this chapter. This part of Axis2 is very important since it will influence data transmission of the application.
Chapters 2 to 6 are the basic “how tos” of the book. The next part of the book provides a detailed explanation of execution of Axis2.
Chapter 7 – 11: Building a Service
The seventh chapter introduces the reader on how to write Axis2 services. This is usually the most challenging part of Axis2 so it’s just fair that it’s being extensively explained. The proper use of Service Archive File is explained in detail in this book. There is also an interesting explanation of WSDL especially on harnessing the power of WSDL to properly execute Axis2.
Chapter 8 explains the steps on how to build Axis2 module. Like the previous chapter, this phase in Axis2 development is a little bit challenging. The explanation, is geared towards covering the basics and letting the developer understand the concepts and implement them in actual development.
Chapter 9 is all about the API. Axis2’s improvement as an implementing tool for web services is based on the fact that it deals with different sources as an API. This chapter aims to explain how interaction is possible with different sources. The client API is carefully explained piece by piece in this chapter for better understanding and control.
Chapter 10 deals with session management are terms of controlling different functions and sources of the online application. The different types of session are explained in this chapter.
Chapter 11 explains the pros and cons of the two different ways on how to approach Axis2. Developers could either build Axis2 with Code First or through Contract First. C
Chapter 12: Advanced Techniques
The final chapter of the book provides a detailed explanation of some tools that made Axis2 differs from its predecessor. In this chapter, advanced techniques are discussed particularly in dealing with Axis2 by using REST.
Quickstart Apache Axis2 is a book written for developers who are not familiar with Axis2 or Axis1. The beauty of this book is on the fact that it explains complicated functions of Axis2 in a simplified manner that the step by step processes could be easily understood.
The book covers everything about Axis2 – its’ functions, how to work with the tool and its advanced functions. But instead of spoon feeding developers through highly specific processes, it leaves an impression to developers that the core principles are explained for a wider application. The principles for each function in Axis2 is detailed which gives the developer an idea on how to use these functions in other projects.
This book is available for purchase at packtpub.com Quickstart Apache Axis2
Click here to read Apache Axis2 Sample Chapter 2
