Making Java Groovy

Making Java Groovy is a practical handbook for developers who want to blend Groovy into their day-to-day work with Java. It starts by introducing the key differences between Java and Groovy—and how you can use them to your advantage. Then, it guides you step-by-step through realistic development challenges, from web applications to web services to desktop applications, and shows how Groovy makes them easier to put into production.

Java is large and powerful, but that size and power carries with it complexity and accumulated inconsistencies. Groovy is an elegant JVM-based dynamic language that gracefully co-exists with Java. It both extends and simplifies Java—and for most Java developers, Groovy is super easy to learn. If you know where to apply it, adding in a little Groovy will make you a better Java developer.

You don't need the full force of Java when you're writing a build script, a simple system utility, or a lightweight web app—but that's where Groovy shines brightest. This elegant JVM-based dynamic language extends and simplifies Java so you can concentrate on the task at hand instead of managing minute details and unnecessary complexity.

Making Java Groovy is a practical guide for developers who want to benefit from Groovy in their work with Java. It starts by introducing the key differences between Java and Groovy and how to use them to your advantage. Then, you'll focus on the situations you face every day, like consuming and creating RESTful web services, working with databases, and using the Spring framework. You'll also explore the great Groovy tools for build processes, testing, and deployment and learn how to write Groovy-based domain-specific languages that simplify Java development.

• Easier Java
• Closures, builders, and metaprogramming
• Gradle for builds, Spock for testing
• Groovy frameworks like Grails and Griffon

Written for developers familiar with Java. No Groovy experience required.

Ken Kousen is an independent consultant and trainer specializing in Spring, Hibernate, Groovy, and Grails.