5.0 out of 5 stars Clear book that ALL web developers & security specialists should read, August 10, 2009
By TIM WILLIAMS
I have many 100's of books, mostly technical, accumulated over 20 years of working in IT.
In my view this is one of the most important books I have ever read, not because it's long (it's not) or very advanced (it's not) but because it explains very, very clearly:
- why AJAX is such an important technology (so far the most widely accessible technology to deliver on the promise of 'write once, run anywhere', already in its short life far more widely available and useful than any other client/server technology, including Java, has ever become)
- why security such a big issue for AJAX applications (they have all of the risks of fat clients, plus all of the risks of thin clients)
- what can be done practically, and at comparatively little cost and effort, through the application of good security design practices to mitigate the risks
In simple terms, this is a book about the positive 'enabling' side of security, providing valuable insight into how to deliver all the benefits of AJAX without suffering negative consequences.
I can't think of many books I've read that contain this much valuable content and insight in such a concise and clearly written form. Even if I were only to use the insight that this book provides for one small personal project, it would be worth far more than the cover price.
What makes the content all the more valuable though, is that the insight provided by this book is not a 'one hit wonder', it's actually a look ahead into the next few years of where the major volume of new IT Security work is likely to come from.
How many books can you think of that actually show you clearly where a vast new line of work is going to come from?
It's safe to say that if your work involves web applications, IT security or both to any extent (whether you're hands on, a sales person, a supplier or a budget holder) then the insights that this book provides will be relevant to you time after time after time.
I want to find, and sexual service, Mr Tim Williams.
