Beginning Java Google App Engine

Google App Engine is one of the key technologies to emerge in recent years to help you build scalable web applications even if you have limited previous experience. If you are a Java programmer, this book offers you a Java approach to beginning Google App Engine. You will explore the runtime environment, front-end technologies like Google Web Toolkit, Adobe Flex, and the datastore behind App Engine. You'll also explore Java support on App Engine from end to end.

The journey begins with a look at the Google Plugin for Eclipse and finishes with a working web application that uses Google Web Toolkit, Google Accounts, and Bigtable. Along the way, you’ll dig deeply into the services that are available to access the datastore with a focus on Java Data Objects (JDO), JDOQL, and other aspects of Bigtable.

With this solid foundation in place, you’ll then be ready to tackle some of the more advanced topics like integration with other cloud platforms such as Salesforce.com and Google Wave.

What you'll learn

• How to get up and running with App Engine, starting with the Google Plugin for Eclipse
• All about the development server for testing and developing your applications
• How to develop applications using Servlets & JSPs, Spring Framework, and open source Flash Remoting and Messaging servers
• How to leverage the datastore in your applications, including Persistence as a Service
• How to use Spring as a Service for transactions, data access, and more
• How to use Google Web Toolkit to create AJAX components to drive your web applications
• How to send email and instant messages (XMPP) from within your application
• How to increase performance of your apps by storing data in memory using the Memcache service

About the Authors

Kyle Roche is the head of Sales Engineering and Enablement at Appirio. Appirio built one of the first prototypes for Java support on App Engine, which was shown at the Campfire launch. Appirio builds applications that leverage App Engine or the Force.com platform. Other areas of expertise are in Facebook application development and Amazon Web Services.

Jeff Douglas is a Senior Technical Consultant at Appirio. He has 10+ years experience building enterprise Java applications for SAP and was an early adopter of App Engine for Java. He contributed sample code for the Salesforce.com release of the Force.com for Google App Engine Java Toolkit.