Kenneth Kousen
Author of “Making Java Groovy”
Ken Kousen is the President of Kousen IT, Inc., through which he does technical training, mentoring, and consulting in all areas related to Java, specializing in Android, Spring, Hibernate/JPA, Groovy, and Grails. He is the author of the Manning book “Making Java Groovy” and the upcoming O’Reilly book “Gradle for Android”.
In 2013 he won a JavaOne Rock Star award. Over the past decade he has taught thousands of developers in business and industry. In addition to owning several technical certifications, his academic background includes two BS degrees from M.I.T., an MS and a Ph.D. from Princeton, and an MS in Computer Science from R.P.I.
Presentations
Android Workshop
Tue 9:00 AM
Learn Android development from the ground up. We’ll start with the SDK and the Android Studio IDE and build, test, and deploy applications on both emulators and physical devices.
Several examples will be provided that cover a range of topics from basic activities to the SQLite database to accessing RESTful web services.
Advanced Android I
Wed 8:30 AM
This session will move beyond the basics cover Android persistence mechanisms, accessing RESTful web services, and more. We’ll look at shared preferences, basic file I/O, and the Sqlite database. We’ll also show how to operate off of the UI thread to access data from remote servers.
The application will access JSON data on a remote server, parse the data, and update the user interface based on the response.
Advanced Android II
Wed 10:30 AM
Topics in this session will include an in-depth discussion of fragments, as well as services, notifications, and the action bar.
Fragments are fundamental to Android applications, but their implementation can get complicated. We’ll look at simple ones, like the preferences fragment, then move to dialogs, and finally a complete summary/detail flow.
Gradle for Android
Wed 1:30 PM
Android applications are finally moving away from Ant or IDE builds. The new build mechanism is based on Gradle, the popular build tool from the Groovy ecosystem. This talk will introduce Gradle to Android developers and show how easy it is to integrate into Android projects.
The latest version of the Android Studio IDE will be used to develop applications. Topics will include using the Android plugin for Gradle, implementing both unit and integration tests, customizing product flavors and variants, and more.
Spock Workshop
Wed 3:15 PM
The Spock framework brings simple, elegant testing to Java and Groovy projects. It integrates cleanly with JUnit, so Spock tests can be integrated as part of an existing test suite. Spock also includes an embedded mocking framework that can be used right away.
In this presentation, we’ll look at several examples of Spock tests and review most of its capabilities, including mock objects and integration with Spring.
Spock Workshop
Wed 5:00 PM
The Spock framework brings simple, elegant testing to Java and Groovy projects. It integrates cleanly with JUnit, so Spock tests can be integrated as part of an existing test suite. Spock also includes an embedded mocking framework that can be used right away.
In this presentation, we’ll look at several examples of Spock tests and review most of its capabilities, including mock objects and integration with Spring.
Bayes’ Rule Says You’ll Attend This Talk
Wed 8:00 PM
Statistics is hot lately, due in part to the easy availability of large data sets and the successes of people like Nate Silver. These aren’t your father’s statistics, however. A quiet revolution has swept through the field, shifting it from traditional frequentist methods toward a more Bayesian approach. This talk will discuss Bayes’ Theorem and show you how to do simple, back-of-the-envelope calculations to apply it to a wide variety of problems.
In addition, we’ll also talk about common errors non-experts make when dealing with statistical conclusions, ranging from small sample size issues to the use of arbitrary endpoints to the problem of overfitting and more.
Browser Automation with Geb
Thu 9:00 AM
Geb makes it easy to automate browser-based applications. In addition to providing a simple jQuery-like syntax for content selection, it provides a page model concept that makes it easy to write functional tests. Geb is based on the Spock testing framework, providing a straightforward syntax and easy execution model.
Geb can be used for scripting, scraping, or general automation, making it easy to write functional and acceptance tests for your web applications.
Managing Your Manager
Thu 8:00 PM
Technical people value expertise above all, but the ability to communicate with others in your organization is a big key to success. This talk will present helpful techniques, like reflective listening and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, that enable you to quickly decide how to lead your manager where you need him or her to go.
We’ll look at both written and oral communication methods, how to talk to supervisors as well as subordinates, and more.
New Features in Grails 3
Fri 9:00 AM
This talk will cover the changes made to the Grails framework in moving to version 3, which is now based on the Gradle build system and uses Spring Boot under the hood.
In addition to those topics, we’ll discuss profiles, create a RESTful web service, and use the newly included Geb testing mechanism.
New Features in Grails 3
Fri 10:45 AM
This talk will cover the changes made to the Grails framework in moving to version 3, which is now based on the Gradle build system and uses Spring Boot under the hood.
In addition to those topics, we’ll discuss profiles, create a RESTful web service, and use the newly included Geb testing mechanism.
Spock Workshop
Fri 1:30 PM
Learn how to use the Spock testing framework in both Java and Groovy applications. This half-day workshop will demonstrate testing with both Spock and JUnit together for Java projects, Groovy projects, and projects that combine both technologies.
Topics will include writing specifications, using Spock mocks, and adding Spock enhancements.
Spock Workshop
Fri 3:15 PM
Learn how to use the Spock testing framework in both Java and Groovy applications. This half-day workshop will demonstrate testing with both Spock and JUnit together for Java projects, Groovy projects, and projects that combine both technologies.
Topics will include writing specifications, using Spock mocks, and adding Spock enhancements.
Blog
Rough cut of Gradle Recipes for Android now available
Posted Sunday, September 27, 2015
My latest book, Gradle Recipes for Android, is now available as a “Rough Cut” at O’Reilly. You can get it at http://shop.oreilly.more »My father, at the end
Posted Sunday, August 9, 2015
Back May of 2010, my mother called to let me know that my father was going into the hospital for minor surgery. There was nothing to worry about, and no reason for me to drive all the way there just to see him, especially since he was only going to be in more »Upcoming Events, and “The Streak”
Posted Monday, May 25, 2015
I’m really not a workaholic. I prefer days off as much as anybody. The problem is that there are all these things I want to do, so I volunteer to do them, and suddenly I’m overbooked so much I don’t have time for a break.more »Concurrent Kitties Using GPars
Posted Friday, May 8, 2015
On today’s Groovy Podcast, I mentioned that I was teaching a Groovy training class this week at Research Now in Plano, TX. That’s not how I said it, though. I said that I was broadcasting live in front of a studio audience and that they were tmore »Groovy posts in other places
Posted Thursday, April 16, 2015
Recently I’ve been writing about Groovy and Grails for my friends at Accelebrate. I do that because: They’re a great client They support what I do They pay me CASH MONEY The only problem is, whenever I post there, I don’t post here. I more »If a method arg is a closure, for crying out loud pass it a closure
Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2015
This is a (mildly) embarrassing post, because it demonstrates how in my transition to functional programming I missed something important. I get it now, though, and I might as well help others avoid the same mistake I made. I teach a lot of Grails traininmore »Now Co-Hosting the Groovy Podcast…
Posted Sunday, February 22, 2015
When I first starting learning Groovy in a serious way, one tool I enjoyed was listening to the Grails Podcast. Glen Smith and Sven Haiges led a discussion about Grails-related issues on a regular basis. Of course, since they talked about new developmentsmore »Groovy/Grails – Pivotal == Opportunity
Posted Monday, January 19, 2015
The news broke this morning that Pivotal plans to withdraw its financial support from the Groovy and Grails projects by the end of March, 2015. The heads of both projects, Guillaume Laforge and Graeme Rocher, have each blogged about it, with their typicalmore »Books
Gradle Recipes for Android
by Ken Kousen
List Price: $24.99
Price: $18.74
You Save: $6.25 (25%)
Price: $18.74
You Save: $6.25 (25%)
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Using the Android Studio IDE and the Gradle build tool will make Android app development much simpler—as long as you know your way around Gradle. This practical guide shows you how Gradle works with Android so that you can use it effectively on your projects. You’ll learn ways to customize project layouts, add dependencies, and even generate multiple different versions of your application.
- Use Gradle independently and from with the new preferred IDE, Android Studio
- Integrate tests into standard Android project builds
- Easily customize builds to add popular third-party libraries as dependencies
- Generate artifacts with various properties, like debug or release, and different flavors, like paid or free
Making Java Groovy
by Ken Kousen
List Price: $44.99
Price: $31.91
You Save: $13.08 (29%)
Price: $31.91
You Save: $13.08 (29%)
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Summary
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.
About this Book
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 Groov 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.
Written for developers familiar with Java. No Groovy experience required.
Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.
What’s Inside
- Easier Java
- Closures, builders, and metaprogramming
- Gradle for builds, Spock for testing
- Groovy frameworks like Grails and Griffon
About the Author
Ken Kousen is an independent consultant and trainer specializing in Spring, Hibernate, Groovy, and Grails.
Table of Contents
- Why add Groovy to Java?
- Groovy by example
- Code-level integration
- Using Groovy features in Java
- Build processes
- Testing Groovy and Java projects
- The Spring framework
- Database access
- RESTful web services
- Building and testing web applications
PART 1: UP TO SPEED WITH GROOVY
PART 2: GROOVY TOOLS
PART 3: GROOVY IN THE REAL WORLD
Groovy Fundamentals [Online Code]
by
![Groovy Fundamentals [Online Code]](https://therichwebexperience.com/files/images/i/41dcwjunvsl._sl160_.jpg)
Price: $79.99
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Number of Videos: 4 hours – 23 lessons
Author: Ken Kousen
User Level: Beginner
Learn the advantages of using Groovy by itself and with existing Java projects. This video workshop takes you into the heart of this JVM language and shows you how Groovy can help increase your productivity through dynamic language features similar to those of Python, Ruby, and Smalltalk. Presenter and Java consultant Ken Kousen demonstrates how writing anything from a simple build script to a full scale application is much easier with Groovy than with Java. You’ll quickly learn how to add Groovy to your projects, and then explore the language through a host of examples and demonstrations. Once you complete this course, check out Ken’s other videos on the subject: Practical Groovy and Mastering Groovy. – Walk through Groovy’s basic data types. Use the “slashy” string syntax to define regular expressions. – Learn how operator overloading in the libraries simplifies your code – Control and customize all the natural defaults and autogenerated code in POGOs – Get demonstrations on using closures, and mixing Java and Groovy classes together – Know when and how to use Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) transformations – Parse and generate both XML and JSON – Access RESTful web services with ease Ken Kousen, President of Kousen IT, Inc., is a technical trainer, mentor, and consultant in all areas related to Java, specializing in Android, Spring, Hibernate/JPA, Groovy, and Grails. He is the author of Making Java Groovy (Manning) and the upcoming O’Reilly book, Gradle for Android.System Requirements:- Supported OS: [Mac Mountain Lion 10.8, Mac Lion 10.7, Mac Snow Leopard 10.6, Mac Leopard 10.5, Mac OS X, Macintosh]
- Processor: Any
- RAM: Any
- Hard Disk: 3GB
- Video Card: Any