Ext JS 4: Working with Tree and Form Components

In this article by Loiane Groner, author of Ext JS 4 First Look we will cover some new features and enhancements in the following Components.

• Tree panel
• Form panel

These Components enable faster performance and more developer flexibility.

(For more resources on JavaScript, see here.)

JIRA: Programming Workflows

In this article by Jobin Kuruvilla author of JIRA Development Cookbook, we will cover:

• Writing a workflow condition
• Writing a workflow validator
• Writing a workflow post function
• Editing an active workflow

Oracle Warehouse Builder: Designing the Target Structure

This article explains designing the data warehouse target. It covers some options for defining a data warehouse target structure using relational objects (star schemas and snowflake schemas) and dimensional objects (cubes and dimensions). Some of the pros and cons of the usage of these objects are also covered.

In this article by Bob Griesemer, author of Oracle Warehouse Builder 11g R2: Getting Started 2011, specifically we will cover:

• Dimensional design
• Cube and dimensions
• Dimensional Model Implementation
• Relational (star schema)
• Multidimensional (OLAP)
• Designing the ACME data warehouse
• Identifying dimensions
• Designing the cube

.NET 4.5 Extension Methods on IQueryable

In this article by Shawn R. McLean, author of Instant .NET 4.5 Extension Methods How-to , we learn about the extension methods on IQueryable. IQueryable is used to operate mainly on databases. IQueryable<T>are an extension from IEnumerable<T>, hence, we can call all extensions and methods of IEnumerable<T>. A query using IQueryable can be built up on over time, before it hits the database. The query is executed once you execute an eager function such as ToList(), looping the data or attempting to use the values. IQueryable is used by providers such as LINQ to entities or LINQ to SQL.

.NET Generics 4.0: Container Patterns and Best Practices

There are several generic containers and generic algorithms available in the .NET Framework and a couple of other majorly accepted APIs such as Power Collections and C5.

In this article by Sudipta Mukherjee, author of .NET Generics 4.0 Beginner’s Guide, we will take a look at:

• Generic container patterns: There are several patterns that are used more than the others in code bases that use Generics. Here, we shall walk through some of these very popular generic structures.
• Best practices: Here we shall walk through a list of best practices with succinct causes to back them.

10 Tips to make great visual diagrams with OmniGraffle 5

As information is becoming more and more complex, people like to have some visual help with understanding the information provided. This is where diagramming comes to the rescue. However, if your diagrams are not visually appealing and easily digestible, your carefully crafted diagram won't communicate your information in the way you like.

This article by Ruben Olsen, author of OmniGraffle 5 Diagramming Essentials, covers 10 tips to make visually appealing diagrams with OmniGraffle 5.

1ZO-051: Oracle Database 11g: Using ANSI Standard Joins

The ability to retrieve data from a table is an absolutely essential element of learning SQL. However, real-world requirements often demand the ability to select data from multiple tables concurrently and present it in a meaningful way. Herein lies the ability to join tables.

In this article by Steve Ries, author of OCA Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I: A Real World Certification Guide (1ZO-051), we shall join tables using ANSI-compliant join syntax.

2011 Open Source Awards Sponsor: Arvixe

About Arvixe

Arvixe Web Hosting, LLC. is a leading provider of Linux and Windows web hosting. Privately held and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, the company was created in 2003 by Founder and CEO Arvand Sabetian. Since then, Arvixe has grown from a small hosting company into one of the world's fastest growing hosting companies with more than 400 managed servers hosting over 100,000 domain names.

As an innovator of web hosting services and technology, Arvixe is able to provide its over 50,000 customers with cutting edge hosting environments that are stable and secure. Arvixe customers range from freelancing individuals to Fortune 500 companies spread throughout more than 200 countries.

As a dedicated supporter of Open Source software, Arvixe is proud to stand behind Open Source developers. Partnered with such Open Source Software innovators as OpenCart, Elgg, and CMSMS, Arvixe is committed to supporting the current and future development of Open Source technologies and is excited to sponsor the prestigious development competition: The Packt Open Source Awards.

Arvixe is one of the fastest growing web hosting companies in the world because they deliver world-class hosting services and support, backed by innovative Open Source technologies. This unique combination of Open Source partnerships and exceptional Hosting services has earned Arvixe hundreds of awards and undeniable recognition within both the Hosting and Open Source communities. .

2D game development with Monkey

Monkey is a new programming language that allows you to create apps on multiple platforms very easily. In this article by Michael Hartlef,author of Monkey Game Development Beginner's Guide we will work together through some Monkey game development basics and cover the following topics:

• How to load a script
• About projects and how we can create one
• The basic structure of a simple game
• How to draw circles and rectangles
• How to read keyboard input
• How to print messages to the browser window
• How to export your game to HTML5 and run it inside a browser

At first, we will experiment with Monk a little bit, by creating a project. Then, you will write your first lines of Monkey code, a typical Hello World app. And of course how to save your code and reopen it at a later point.

Of course, you will have to create your first little game, PONGO—a very simple one, but a game in all its glory. You want be a game developer, right? So you've got to do what a game developer has to do. Together, we will recreate one of the first video games in history, Pong. Never heard about it? As always, look at this Wikipedia page to get an idea about Pong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong

As a game developer, you have to start small, and this game is the perfect ground to build up your development skills with Monkey. After we are finished with the development of the little game, you can call yourself a Monkey programmer! You don't think so? Yes you are! You learned to walk, and now we will learn how to run. And as they say, practice makes perfect . The best way to learn is by creating some nice little games. So let's get down to business, shall we?