Java Message Service

The Java Message Service (JMS) provides a way for the components of a distributed application to talk asynchonously, or to weld together legacy enterprise systems. Think of it as application to application e-mail. Unlike COM, JMS uses one or more JMS servers to handle the messages on a store and forward basis so the loss of one or more components doesn't bring the whole distributed application to a halt.

JMS consists of a set of messaging APIs which enable two types of messaging: publish and subscribe (one to many) and point to point (one to one). The authors' highly lucid explanation of the way these work makes the technical content a lot more approachable. In practice, though, Java Message Service is still a book for Java programmers with some business programming experience. You need the background. After a simple JMS demonstration in which you create a Chat application using both messaging types the authors dissect JMS message structures, explore both types in detail and then move on to real world considerations. These include reliability, security, deployment and a run-down on various JMS server providers. The appendices list and describe the JMS API and provide message reference material.

Considering the complexity and reach of the subject matter, Java Message Service does a great job covering both theory and practice in a surprisingly efficient manner. It's easy to see why JMS has become so popular so quickly. Recommended. --Steve Patient

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Understanding JMS by Example - Rated
One of the key distinctions the authors of this book make from the onset is to put messaging technology into context within the model of decentralised architectures. This is important because it drives home the asynchronous nature of messaging and how JMS should be used in deploying distributed systems.

This sets the tone of the book which makes easy reading of a topic where others have relied on the readers knowledge of associated technologies and concepts to convey the point. This is not to say the authors have dealt with the subject superficially. Indeed a working knowledge of Java is required but the example code is carefully dissected in illustrating the concepts.

The code for the Chat Application example and others is provided by download and this was easily implemented on a BEA Weblogic Application Server and illustrates JMS technology in action. The sample programs are not specific to any particular application server and is left to the reader's preference.

As a builder and administrator of high volume transaction application servers, I highly recommend this book if you quickly want to understand JMS and how it can be deployed as a messaging technology.

better than all other JMS books combined - Rated
This is the only JMS book you will ever need. It covers both Pub/Sub and Point-2-Point APIs thoroughly and succinctly. The examples work.

This is both a tutorial and a reference. It covers usage of JMS, but not messaging design patterns for its application.

Vendor implementations of JMS vary greatly. This guide works fine with Sonic and all the other ordinary JMS implementations, but MQSeries quirks left me filling in the blanks.

Concise and to the point - Rated
This book is more or less just right. JMS is not a huge topic and not too difficult to get your head round. Ergo, it requires a small book, and this is what O'Reilly delivers.

I think pretty much all the facilities of the API are covered, and furthermore, the examples work.

I recommend downloading the JBoss Open Source EJB server, which also supports JMS in order to get yourself up and running.

Almost perfect "manual" to JMS - Rated
Fine introduction to the Java Message Service and Messaging Services in general. Includes descriptions of advanced services in JMS as well. Examples are quite simple - and the book contains no 'patterns' of good use - which is ok - if you want an introduction to JMS/Messaging Services. Then why only 4 stars? Because the book doesn't contain as much as a single UML-diagram of the JMS-API - describing the API using descriptions and examples only makes it easy to "get lost" in both descriptions and examples.

Excellent introduction if you are new to JMS - Rated
A great overview of the java message service. It provides a clear, well structured approach with good examples. Perhaps the examples could be expanded upon a little, but as a first step into the world of messaging you cannot get much better!!! Recommended!