Groovy brings you the best of both worlds: a flexible, highly productive, agile, dynamic language that runs on the rich framework of the Java Platform. Groovy preserves the Java semantics and extends the JDK to give you true dynamic language capabilities. Programming Groovy 2 will help you, the experienced Java developer, learn and take advantage of the latest version of this rich dynamic language. You’ll go from the basics of Groovy to the latest advances in the language, including options for type checking, tail-call and memoization optimizations, compile time metaprogramming, and fluent interfaces to create DSLs.

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About this Book

  • 370 pages
  • Published:
  • Release: P1.0 (2013-07-17)
  • ISBN: 978-1-93778-530-7

You don’t have to leave the rich Java Platform to take advantage of Groovy. Groovy preserves Java’s semantics and extends the JDK, so programming in Groovy feels like the Java language has been augmented; it’s like working with a lighter, more elegant Java. If you’re an experienced Java developer who wants to learn how Groovy works, you’ll find exactly what you need in this book.

You’ll start with the fundamentals of programming in Groovy and how it works with Java, and then you’ll explore advanced concepts such as unit testing with mock objects, using Builders, working with databases and XML, and creating DSLs. You’ll master Groovy’s powerful yet complex run-time and compile-time metaprogramming features.

Much has evolved in the Groovy language since the publication of the first edition of Programming Groovy. Programming Groovy 2 will help you learn and apply Groovy’s new features. Creating DSLs is easier now, and Groovy’s already-powerful metaprogramming facilities have improved even more. You’ll see how to work with closures, including tail call optimization and memoization. The book also covers Groovy’s new static compilation feature.

Whether you’re learning the basics of the language or interested in getting proficient with the new features, Programming Groovy 2 has you covered.

What You Need

To work on the examples in the book you need Groovy 2.0.5 and Java JDK 5 or higher.

Contents and Extracts

Full Table of Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Getting Started
  3. Groovy for Java Eyes excerpt
  4. Dynamic Typing
  5. Using Closures excerpt
  6. Working with Strings
  7. Working with Collections
  8. Exploring the GDK
  9. Working with XML
  10. Working with Databases
  11. Working with Scripts and Classes
  12. Exploring Meta-Object Protocol (MOP) excerpt
  13. Intercepting Methods Using MOP
  14. MOP Method Injection
  15. MOP Method Synthesis
  16. MOPping Up
  17. Applying Compile Time Metaprogramming
  18. Groovy Builders
  19. Unit Testing and Mocking
  20. Creating DSLs in Groovy

About the Author

Dr. Venkat Subramaniam is an award-winning author, founder of Agile Developer, Inc., and an adjunct faculty at the University of Houston. He has trained and mentored thousands of software developers in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia, and is a regularly invited speaker at several international conferences. He’s (co)author of multiple books, including the 2007 Jolt Productivity award winning book Practices of an Agile Developer.

Comments and Reviews

  • If you ever wondered why dynamic languages in general, and Groovy in particular, are so popular and how you can leverage them in your own work, this is the book for you.

    —Joe McTee Developer JEKLsoft

  • Whether you’re a Java developer starting to dabble with Groovy, an intermediate Groovy developer looking to improve your understanding of the language, or an experienced Groovy developer looking for an introduction to the latest features in Groovy 2, this book is the perfect way to take your skills to the next level.

    —Peter Bell hackNY

  • In this update for Groovy 2, Venkat has done a great job showing you both the theory and the practice of using Groovy. From basic, everyday tasks to advanced usage like compile-time metaprogramming and AST transforms, method interception and synthesis, and creating DSLs, you’ll find a ton packed into this relatively thin book. Best, it won’t become a desk anchor since you’ll constantly refer to its many great examples!

    —Scott Leberknight Co-founder and senior software architect Near Infinity Corp.

  • I’m delighted that Venkat has revised this essential Groovy tutorial to reflect the developments in the language and ecosystem since the first edition. Everyone learning Groovy should have this book in the library.

    —Tim Berglund GitHub trainer and evangelist

  • Many other programming books assume too much. What makes Venkat’s books unique is that they welcome various levels of readers without insulting their intelligence. Programming Groovy 2 is no exception—it is crafted with small palatable examples that guide the reader in a natural and incremental learning experience from novice to expert.

    —Daniel Hinojosa Consultant, programmer, speaker, author of "Testing in Scala"