Cocos2d Cross-Platform Game Development Cookbook. Develop games for iOS and Android using Cocos2d with the aid of over 70 step-by-step recipes - Second Edition

Siddharth Shekar, Raydelto Hernandez

Cocos2d is the world’s leading game development framework for developing iOS games. With the introduction of Swift and Spritebuilder, it has become easier than ever to develop the games of your dreams without much effort. With Cocos2d, you can also deploy the game on Android, thereby maximizing profit and reducing development and porting costs.The book starts off with a detailed look at how to implement sprites and animations into your game to make it livelier. You will then learn to add scenes to the game such as the gameplay scene and options scene and create menus and buttons in these scenes, as well as creating transitions between them. From there on, you will get an understanding of how to program user interactions such as tapping, holding, and swiping. You’ll then add accelerometer inputs and physics to the scene, and make objects respond back to the inputs. A game is practically incomplete without audio being added, so this will be covered next. The next section will include ways to add Artificial Intelligence to enemies in the game, allowing them to patrol, chase, and shoot in a projectile manner. You will then learn to use NSUserDefault to save and load game progress, and create and access files using JSON, Plist, and XML files for custom storage and retrieval of data. Then you will learn to add dynamic lighting to your game and will use industry-wide tools such as Texture Packer, Glyph Designer, Physics Editor, Particle Designer, and Sprite Illuminator to create more visually appealing and performance-optimized games.Towards the end of the book, we dive into Apple’s latest programming language—Swift, highlighting the major differences between Objective C and Swift. The book culminates with taking your existing game developed for iOS and porting it to Android, showing you how to install the Android Xcode plugin as well.

PhpStorm Cookbook. Discover over 80 recipes to learn how to build and test PHP applications efficiently using the PhpStorm IDE

Mukund Chaudhary

Design Better and Build Your Brand in Canva. A beginner’s guide to producing professional branding, marketing, and social content for businesses

Laura Goodsell, Janine Friston, Heather Palfreyman

If you're constantly frustrated by how long it takes to create a design in Canva, then you've come to the right place. This book will get you up and running quickly with creating professional branded graphics in Canva.You’ll learn how to set up a Canva account, both free and pro and create a brand kit while understanding the importance of branding. Next, you’ll discover all the features and tools as well as how to put everything together to build a brand you love and graphics that work for your business. As you progress, the chapters will show you how to organize your account, create presentations, use videos and animation within your marketing materials and more.By the end of this book, you’ll have a solid understanding of what Canva is and what it does and be able to confidently and easily create a branded design from scratch.

Writing API Tests with Karate. Enhance your API testing for improved security and performance

Benjamin Bischoff, Peter Thomas

Software in recent years is moving away from centralized systems and monoliths to smaller, scalable components that communicate with each other through APIs. Testing these communication interfaces is becoming increasingly important to ensure the security, performance, and extensibility of the software. A powerful tool to achieve safe and robust applications is Karate, an easy-to-use, and powerful software testing framework.In this book, you’ll work with different modules of karate to get tailored solutions for modern test challenges. You’ll be exploring interface testing, UI testing as well as performance testing.By the end of this book, you’ll be able to use the Karate framework in your software development lifecycle to make your APIs and applications robust and trustworthy.

Enterprise GENERATIVE AI Well-Architected Framework & Patterns. An Architect's Real-life Guide to Adopting Generative AI in Enterprises at Scale

Suvoraj Biswas

The course begins with an insightful introduction to the burgeoning field of Generative AI, laying down a robust framework for understanding its applications within the AWS ecosystem.The course focuses on meticulously detailing the five pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework—Operational Excellence, Security, Compliance, Reliability, and Cost Optimization. Each module is crafted to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these essential areas, integrating Generative AI technologies. You'll learn how to navigate the complexities of securing AI systems, ensuring they comply with legal and regulatory standards, and designing them for unparalleled reliability. Practical sessions on cost optimization strategies for AI projects will empower you to deliver value without compromising on performance or scalability. Furthermore, the course delves into System Architecture Excellence, emphasizing the importance of robust design principles in creating effective Generative AI solutions.The course wraps up by offering a forward-looking perspective on the Common Architectural Pattern for FM/LLM Integration & Adoption within the AWS framework. You'll gain hands-on experience with AWS solutions specifically tailored for Generative AI applications, including Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB, among others.

Mastering Windows Security and Hardening. Secure and protect your Windows environment from intruders, malware attacks, and other cyber threats

Mark Dunkerley, Matt Tumbarello

Are you looking for effective ways to protect Windows-based systems from being compromised by unauthorized users?Mastering Windows Security and Hardening is a detailed guide that helps you gain expertise when implementing efficient security measures and creating robust defense solutions.We will begin with an introduction to Windows security fundamentals, baselining, and the importance of building a baseline for an organization. As you advance, you will learn how to effectively secure and harden your Windows-based system, protect identities, and even manage access. In the concluding chapters, the book will take you through testing, monitoring, and security operations. In addition to this, you’ll be equipped with the tools you need to ensure compliance and continuous monitoring through security operations.By the end of this book, you’ll have developed a full understanding of the processes and tools involved in securing and hardening your Windows environment.

Full Stack Development with Spring Boot 3 and React. Build modern web applications using the power of Java, React, and TypeScript - Fourth Edition

Juha Hinkula

If you’re an existing Java developer who wants to go full stack or pick up another frontend framework, this book is your concise introduction to React. In this three-part build-along, you’ll create a robust Spring Boot backend, a React frontend, and then deploy them together.This new edition is updated to Spring Boot 3 and includes expanded content on security and testing. For the first time ever, it also covers React development with the in-demand TypeScript.You’ll explore the elements that go into creating a REST API and testing, securing, and deploying your applications. You’ll learn about custom Hooks, third-party components, and MUI.By the end of this book, you'll be able to build a full stack application using the latest tools and modern best practices.

3D Printing Designs: The Sun Puzzle. Bringing puzzles in 3 dimensions for 3D printing with Blender

Joe Larson

Jigsaw puzzles derive their name from when they were cut from wood sheets using a hand-woodworking tool called a jig saw back in the 1760s. Have you ever wondered how a model idea for a jigsaw puzzle is articulated, and how it was made with these traditional tools? Through this book, you will master the techniques of designing simple to complex puzzles models for 3D printing. We will quickly introduce you to some simple and effective principles of designing 3D printed objects using Blender. Through the course of the book, you'll explore various robust sculpting methods supported by Blender that allow you to edit objects with actions such as bends or curves, similar to drawing or building up a clay structure of different shapes and sizes. Finally, when the model is sculpted, you'll learn some methods to cut the model and carve out multiple pieces of perfectly-fitting edges of different geometries to complete the puzzle.-------------------------------------------Note from CM - [Page count: 60][Price: $9.99 eBook | $19.99 print]

PostgreSQL 16 Administration Cookbook. Solve real-world Database Administration challenges with 180+ practical recipes and best practices

Gianni Ciolli, Boriss Mejías, Jimmy Angelakos, Vibhor Kumar, ...

PostgreSQL has seen a huge increase in its customer base in the past few years and is becoming one of the go-to solutions for anyone who has a database-specific challenge. This PostgreSQL book touches on all the fundamentals of Database Administration in a problem-solution format. It is intended to be the perfect desk reference guide.This new edition focuses on recipes based on the new PostgreSQL 16 release. The additions include handling complex batch loading scenarios with the SQL MERGE statement, security improvements, running Postgres on Kubernetes or with TPA and Ansible, and more. This edition also focuses on certain performance gains, such as query optimization, and the acceleration of specific operations, such as sort. It will help you understand roles, ensuring high availability, concurrency, and replication. It also draws your attention to aspects like validating backups, recovery, monitoring, and scaling aspects. This book will act as a one-stop solution to all your real-world database administration challenges.By the end of this book, you will be able to manage, monitor, and replicate your PostgreSQL 16 database for efficient administration and maintenance with the best practices from experts.

AWS Cloud Computing Concepts and Tech Analogies. A guide to understand AWS services using easy-to-follow analogies from real life

Ashish Prajapati, Juan Carlos Ruiz, Marco Tamassia

This book makes understanding cloud computing easy by providing relatable examples that simplify the complex technology. By drawing parallels between cloud concepts and everyday scenarios, we will demystify cloud tech, and once you start to understand it, learning cloud computing will be more enjoyable.This book will help you learn about cloud computing in general and AWS specifically, as you follow the journey of TrendyCorp—a fictitious company gearing up to move from traditional IT to cloud computing. You’ll shape your understanding of the cloud through scenarios of interactions between TrendyCorp’s new hires, seasoned IT professionals, external consultants, and the board of directors engaged in modernizing their applications. These characters’ discussions and actions are focused on learning about cloud services by drawing comparisons between the technology and examples taken from real life. Through this book, you’ll realize that cloud computing concepts have more in common with your day-to-day scenarios and situations than you’ve ever imagined.This book offers a conversational and entertaining narrative that anyone working in IT and looking to understand how the cloud works will be able to follow. By the end of it, you’ll have developed a clear and simplified perspective of cloud technologies.

Getting Started with Magento Extension Development. This practical guide to building Magento modules from scratch takes you step-by-step through the whole process, from first principles to practical development. At the end of it you'll have acquired expertise based on thorough understanding

Branko Ajzele

Modules, are a group of php and xml files meant to extend the system with new functionality, or override core system behavior. Most of the base Magento system is built using the module system, so you can see why they are an important feature for this rich open-source e-commerce solutions. This book explores key module development techniques and teaches you to modify, understand and structure your modules making it easy for you to get a strong foundation for clean and unobtrusive Magento module development.Getting Started with Magento Extension Development is a practical, hands-on guide to building Magento modules from scratch. This book provides an in depth introduction and helps you discover features such as; blocks, controllers, models, configuration files, and other crucial elements which contribute to the Magento architecture. This book introduces the you to real-world modules and helps provide a strong foundation which you need to become a professional Magento module developer. The book further explores best practices and tips and tricks offering you the ultimate go to guide.Getting Started with Magento Extension Development focuses on three areas. First you are guided through the entire Magento structure, where each important directory or file is explored in detail. Then the essence of the module structure and development is explained through the detailed coverage of models, blocks, controllers, configuration, and other files that manifest a single module. Finally, a detailed set of instructions is given for building four real-world modules, including a payment and shipping module.

Alfresco CMIS. Learn how to build applications that talk to content management servers in a standardized way using this superb course on getting the best from Alfresco CMIS. This is a highly practical, step-by-step guide

Martin Bergljung

Magento 2 Theme Design. Create stunning and responsive Magento 2 themes for your business - Second Edition

Fernando J Miguel, Richard Carter

Magento is the e-commerce software and platform trusted by the world’s leading brands. Using Magento’s powerful theming engine, you can control the look, content, and functionality, and easily launch a flexible e-commerce website. However, because of its powerful features, developing Magento themes is easier said than done.This book aims to leverage the enhancements to theme designing in Magento 2 to the fullest. It will show you how to gear up the performance of your e-commerce website.We begin by introducing Magento 2 and its features along with implementing a local development Magento environment. We then move on to discuss the concepts of the Magento theme structure such as templates, inheritance, customization, and override. Further on, we explore the Magento UI Library, which is a new feature available in Magento 2.0. We will create a new Magento 2.0 theme named MyCake Store using Magento Bootstrap from Maven E-commerce and also create print strategies for the Magento 2.0 theme. We will also create and customize a new theme proposal for the Magento admin panel. At the end, we will integrate Magento 2.0 to Twitter and integrate it with social bookmarking and finally deploy our new Magento 2.0 theme.

Docker Certified Associate (DCA): Exam Guide. Enhance and validate your Docker skills by gaining Docker certification

Francisco Javier Ramírez Urea

Developers have changed their deployment artifacts from application binaries to container images, and they now need to build container-based applications as containers are part of their new development workflow. This Docker book is designed to help you learn about the management and administrative tasks of the Containers as a Service (CaaS) platform.The book starts by getting you up and running with the key concepts of containers and microservices. You'll then cover different orchestration strategies and environments, along with exploring the Docker Enterprise platform. As you advance, the book will show you how to deploy secure, production-ready, container-based applications in Docker Enterprise environments. Later, you'll delve into each Docker Enterprise component and learn all about CaaS management. Throughout the book, you'll encounter important exam-specific topics, along with sample questions and detailed answers that will help you prepare effectively for the exam.By the end of this Docker containers book, you'll have learned how to efficiently deploy and manage container-based environments in production, and you will have the skills and knowledge you need to pass the DCA exam.

Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Professional Guide. Master advanced PL/SQL concepts along with plenty of example questions for 1Z0-146 examination with this book and

Saurabh K. Gupta

PL/SQL (Procedural Language/Structured Query Language) is Oracle Corporation's procedural extension language for SQL and the Oracle relational database. Server-side PL/SQL is stored and compiled in the Oracle Database and runs within the Oracle executable. With this guide Oracle developers can work towards accomplishing Oracle 11g Advanced PL/SQL Professional certification, which is the second milestone for developers working at the Associate level. The Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Professional Guide helps you master advanced PL/SQL concepts. Besides the clear and precise explanation on advanced topics, it also contains example code and demonstrations, which gives a sense of application and usage to readers.The book gives a deep insight that will help transform readers from mid-level programmers to professional database developers. It aims to cover the advanced features of PL/SQL for designing and optimizing PL/SQL code.This book starts with an overview of PL/SQL as the programming database language and outlines the benefits and characteristics of the language. The book then covers the advanced features that include PL/SQL code writing using collections, tuning recommendations using result caching, implementing VPD to enforce row level security, and much more. Apart from programming, the book also dives deep into the usage of the development tool SQL Developer, employing best practices in database environments and safeguarding the vulnerable areas in PL/SQL code to avoid code injection.

Microsoft Power Platform Enterprise Architecture. A guide for architects and decision makers to craft complex solutions tailored to meet business needs

Robert Rybaric

For forward-looking architects and decision makers who want to craft complex solutions to serve growing business needs, Microsoft Power Platform Enterprise Architecture offers an array of architectural best practices and techniques.With this book, you’ll learn how to design robust software using the tools available in the Power Platform suite and be able to integrate them seamlessly with various Microsoft 365 and Azure components. Unlike most other resources that are overwhelmingly long and unstructured, this book covers essential concepts using concise yet practical examples to help you save time.You’ll develop the skills you need to architect, design, and manage a complex solution as you follow the journey of a fictitious enterprise customer as they enter the world of Power Platform. Throughout the book, you’ll discover how to combine the functionality of Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents with various methodologies to effectively address application lifecycle management, security, and extensibility. Finally, you'll learn how to overcome common challenges in migrating data to and from Microsoft Power Platform using proven techniques.By the end of this book, you’ll have the strategic perspective of an enterprise architect to make accurate architectural decisions for your complex Power Platform projects.