Reviews for Eclipse Rich Client Platform: Designing, Coding, and Packaging Java Applications

1. Nice book, but utterly obsolete

   Rated 1 out of 5 stars, May 12th, 2007

   Previously this was The book for getting up to speed with developing RCP applications using Eclipse. Sadly the book is written for Eclipse 3.1 while the latest version, and the one you're most likely to have, is 3.2. Much of the code is contrary to the use of generics in Java while the processes it describes are not compatible with the latest version of the IDE. The authors have provided 3.2 compatible example code on the book's website but using this negates the purpose of the book as a aid for learning.
   
   Unless an update is produced for the book, either as a list of changes on the website or as a new edition, an Eclipse RCP neophyte would be better off with IBM's free tutorials. Given the book's reputation I was very disappointed with the it's lack of relevance and unnecessary obsolescence.

2. One-stop shopping for learning Eclipse RCP

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, November 12st, 2005

   Having read "Eclipse RCP" in its entirety as a manuscript reviewer, I can tell you that this is a superb book. The authors have done a splendid job of creating a technical book that serves well as both a tutorial and as a reference.

   Through the development of a single example, the book covers everything you need to get started building and packaging an Eclipse RCP application. The book even includes a CD containing all the software you'll need to work through the tutorials and build your own RCP applications.

   While a single book could never describe every aspect of the Eclipse Platform, this book is certainly all you need to get started with Eclipse RCP, and then once you've found your feet, there are other books in the Eclipse Series that will help expand your knowledge of the Eclipse Platform and Eclipse plug-in development.

   This book has been produced extremely well: The text is well written, the pages are full of easy to follow code snippets, and there are sidebars that share best practices and handy tips, as well as plenty of good quality screen shots and diagrams.

   Buy this book. Read this book. You'll be glad you did.