Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020. Supercharge your image editing using the latest features and techniques in Photoshop Elements - Second Edition

Robin Nichols

Adobe Photoshop Elements is a raster graphics editor for entry-level photographers, image editors, and hobbyists. Updated and improved to cover the latest features of Photoshop Elements 2020, this second edition includes focused coverage of Adobe's new AI-powered features that are designed to make the editing process more efficient, creative and fun.This book takes you through the complexities of image editing in easy-to-follow, bite-sized chunks, helping you to quickly recognize the editing challenge at hand and use suitable tools and techniques to overcome it. You’ll start by learning how to import, organize, manage, edit, and use your pictures in a format that’s designed for creative photography projects. Throughout this Adobe Photoshop Elements book, you'll discover how to fix different photographic problems using an extensive repertoire of commonly applied solutions. Common processes such as applying artistic effects to creative projects, custom image makeovers, processing images for social media, and other file export methods will also be covered.By the end of this book, you’ll have learned about the impressive tools available in Photoshop Elements 2020, and how it is designed not only for photographers who’d like to dip their toes into the editing world, but also for those wanting simple but effective ideas on how to expand their creativity while remaining time-efficient.

OpenAI API Cookbook. Build intelligent applications including chatbots, virtual assistants, and content generators

Henry Habib, Sam McKay, Paul Siegel

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries with OpenAI at the forefront of AI research, knowing how to create innovative applications such as chatbots, virtual assistants, content generators, and productivity enhancers is a game-changer. This book takes a practical, recipe-based approach to unlocking the power of OpenAI API to build high-performance intelligent applications in diverse industries and seamlessly integrate ChatGPT in your workflows to increase productivity.You’ll begin with the OpenAI API fundamentals, covering setup, authentication, and key parameters, and quickly progress to the different elements of the OpenAI API. Once you’ve learned how to use it effectively and tweak parameters for better results, you’ll follow advanced recipes for enhancing user experience and refining outputs. The book guides your transition from development to live application deployment, setting up the API for public use and application backend. Further, you’ll discover step-by-step recipes for building knowledge-based assistants and multi-model applications tailored to your specific needs.By the end of this book, you’ll have worked through recipes involving various OpenAI API endpoints and built a variety of intelligent applications, ready to apply this experience to building AI-powered solutions of your own.

Learning VirtualDub: The Complete Guide to Capturing, Processing and Encoding Digital Video. The complete guide to capturing, processing and encoding digital video

John Buechler, Georgios Diamantopoulos, Sohail Salehi, Avery Lee

VirtualDub is one of the most popular video processing applications for Windows. As an open source application, it's free, and is constantly updated and expanded by an active community of developers and experts. VirtualDub is particularly popular for capturing video from analogue sources such as video tape, cleaning up the image and compressing it ready for distribution over the Internet. This book provides a rapid and easy to use tutorial to the basic features of VirtualDub to get you up and running quickly. It explains how to capture great quality video from various sources, use filters to clean up the captured image and add special effects. The book also shows how to use VirtualDub to cut and paste video to remove or insert sequences, including removing ad breaks or trailers. It goes on to cover the art of effective encoding and compression, so you end up with great quality videos that won't hog your bandwidth forever. VirtualDub is the fastest and most effective way to capture, process and encode video on your PC. This book gets you started fast, and goes on to give you full control of all the features of this legendary tool.

Oracle JRockit: The Definitive Guide. Understanding Adaptive Runtimes using JRockit R27/28

Marcus Hirt, Marcus Lagergren

Oracle JRockit is one of the industry’s highest performing Java Virtual Machines. Java developers are always on the lookout for better ways to analyze application behavior and gain performance. As we all know, this is not as easy as it looks. Welcome to JRockit: The Definitive Guide.This book helps you gain in-depth knowledge of Java from the JVM’s point of view. We will explain how to write code that works well with the JVM to gain performance and scalability. Starting with the inner workings of the JRockit JVM and finishing with a thorough walkthrough of the tools in the JRockit Mission Control suite, this book is for anyone who wants to know more about how the JVM executes your Java application and how to profile for better performance.

Learning Responsive Data Visualization. Create stunning data visualizations that look awesome on every device and screen resolutions

Christoph Körner

Using D3.js and Responsive Design principles, you will not just be able to implement visualizations that look and feel awesome across all devices and screen resolutions, but you will also boost your productivity and reduce development time by making use of Bootstrap—the most popular framework for developing responsive web applications.This book teaches the basics of scalable vector graphics (SVG), D3.js, and Bootstrap while focusing on Responsive Design as well as mobile-first visualizations; the reader will start by discovering Bootstrap and how it can be used for creating responsive applications, and then implement a basic bar chart in D3.js. You will learn about loading, parsing, and filtering data in JavaScript and then dive into creating a responsive visualization by using Media Queries, responsive interactions for Mobile and Desktop devices, and transitions to bring the visualization to life. In the following chapters, we build a fully responsive interactive map to display geographic data using GeoJSON and set up integration testing with Protractor to test the application across real devices using a mobile API gateway such as AWS Device Farm. You will finish the journey by discovering the caveats of mobile-first applications and learn how to master cross-browser complications.

Learn Algorithmic Trading. Build and deploy algorithmic trading systems and strategies using Python and advanced data analysis

Sebastien Donadio, Sourav Ghosh

It’s now harder than ever to get a significant edge over competitors in terms of speed and efficiency when it comes to algorithmic trading. Relying on sophisticated trading signals, predictive models and strategies can make all the difference. This book will guide you through these aspects, giving you insights into how modern electronic trading markets and participants operate.You’ll start with an introduction to algorithmic trading, along with setting up the environment required to perform the tasks in the book. You’ll explore the key components of an algorithmic trading business and aspects you’ll need to take into account before starting an automated trading project. Next, you’ll focus on designing, building and operating the components required for developing a practical and profitable algorithmic trading business. Later, you’ll learn how quantitative trading signals and strategies are developed, and also implement and analyze sophisticated trading strategies such as volatility strategies, economic release strategies, and statistical arbitrage. Finally, you’ll create a trading bot from scratch using the algorithms built in the previous sections.By the end of this book, you’ll be well-versed with electronic trading markets and have learned to implement, evaluate and safely operate algorithmic trading strategies in live markets.

Practical Node-RED Programming. Learn powerful visual programming techniques and best practices for the web and IoT

Taiji Hagino, Nick O'Leary

Node-RED is a free and open source flow-based programming tool used to handle IoT data that allows programmers of any level to interconnect physical I/O, cloud-based systems, databases, and APIs to build web applications without code.Practical Node-RED Programming is a comprehensive introduction for anyone looking to get up to speed with the Node-RED ecosystem in no time. Complete with hands-on tutorials, projects, and self-assessment questions, this easy-to-follow guide will help you to become well versed in the foundations of Node-RED. You’ll learn how to use Node-RED to handle IoT data and build web applications without having to write complex code. Once you’ve covered the basics, you’ll explore various visual programming techniques and find out how to make sample flows as you cover web development, IoT development, and cloud service connections, and finally build useful real-world applications.By the end of this book, you’ll have learned how to use Node-RED to develop a real-world application from scratch, which can then be implemented in your business.

Learn C# Programming. A guide to building a solid foundation in C# language for writing efficient programs

Marius Bancila, Raffaele Rialdi, Ankit Sharma, Dino Esposito

The C# programming language is often developers’ primary choice for creating a wide range of applications for desktop, cloud, and mobile. In nearly two decades of its existence, C# has evolved from a general-purpose, object-oriented language to a multi-paradigm language with impressive features.This book will take you through C# from the ground up in a step-by-step manner. You'll start with the building blocks of C#, which include basic data types, variables, strings, arrays, operators, control statements, and loops. Once comfortable with the basics, you'll then progress to learning object-oriented programming concepts such as classes and structures, objects, interfaces, and abstraction. Generics, functional programming, dynamic, and asynchronous programming are covered in detail. This book also takes you through regular expressions, reflection, memory management, pattern matching, exceptions, and many other advanced topics. As you advance, you'll explore the .NET Core 3 framework and learn how to use the dotnet command-line interface (CLI), consume NuGet packages, develop for Linux, and migrate apps built with .NET Framework. Finally, you'll understand how to run unit tests with the Microsoft unit testing frameworks available in Visual Studio.By the end of this book, you’ll be well-versed with the essentials of the C# language and be ready to start creating apps with it.

Jenkins Administrator's Guide. Install, manage, and scale a CI/CD build and release system to accelerate your product life cycle

Calvin Sangbin Park, Lalit Adithya, Sam Gleske, Tracy Miranda

Jenkins is a renowned name among build and release CI/CD DevOps engineers because of its usefulness in automating builds, releases, and even operations. Despite its capabilities and popularity, it's not easy to scale Jenkins in a production environment. Jenkins Administrator's Guide will not only teach you how to set up a production-grade Jenkins instance from scratch, but also cover management and scaling strategies. This book will guide you through the steps for setting up a Jenkins instance on AWS and inside a corporate firewall, while discussing design choices and configuration options, such as TLS termination points and security policies. You’ll create CI/CD pipelines that are triggered through GitHub pull request events, and also understand the various Jenkinsfile syntax types to help you develop a build and release process unique to your requirements. For readers who are new to Amazon Web Services, the book has a dedicated chapter on AWS with screenshots. You’ll also get to grips with Jenkins Configuration as Code, disaster recovery, upgrading plans, removing bottlenecks, and more to help you manage and scale your Jenkins instance. By the end of this book, you’ll not only have a production-grade Jenkins instance with CI/CD pipelines in place, but also knowledge of best practices by industry experts.

IBM Worklight Mobile Application Development Essentials. Your move onto mobile devices is simplified when you use IBM Worklight and this user-friendly tutorial. After a guided tour through the components you’ll learn how to utilize them to optimize your mobile applications

Muhammad Saif Uddin, Talha Haroon

Hands-On Python for DevOps. Leverage Python's native libraries to streamline your workflow and save time with automation

Ankur Roy

Python stands out as a powerhouse in DevOps, boasting unparalleled libraries and support, which makes it the preferred programming language for problem solvers worldwide. This book will help you understand the true flexibility of Python, demonstrating how it can be integrated into incredibly useful DevOps workflows and workloads, through practical examples.You'll start by understanding the symbiotic relation between Python and DevOps philosophies and then explore the applications of Python for provisioning and manipulating VMs and other cloud resources to facilitate DevOps activities. With illustrated examples, you’ll become familiar with automating DevOps tasks and learn where and how Python can be used to enhance CI/CD pipelines. Further, the book highlights Python’s role in the Infrastructure as Code (IaC) process development, including its connections with tools like Ansible, SaltStack, and Terraform. The concluding chapters cover advanced concepts such as MLOps, DataOps, and Python’s integration with generative AI, offering a glimpse into the areas of monitoring, logging, Kubernetes, and more.By the end of this book, you’ll know how to leverage Python in your DevOps-based workloads to make your life easier and save time.

Implementing Cellular IoT Solutions for Digital Transformation. Successfully develop, deploy, and maintain LTE and 5G enterprise IoT systems

Dennis McCain, Cameron Coursey

Even if you’re an IoT technology manager with a sound understanding of wireless local area network technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you may face many unique challenges when implementing a wireless wide area network (WWAN) IoT solution with cellular technologies with respect to choosing the optimal IoT device, cellular connectivity, and architecture. To help you overcome such roadblocks, this digital transformation book guides you in implementing a robust, end-to-end cellular IoT solution using best practices for all aspects of managing the IoT solution.Starting with an introduction to the top IoT markets and solutions in the context of an enterprise’s digital transformation, this book will show you how this leads to cost savings and new business models. You’ll grasp all you need to know about the IoT system components, life cycle, and best practices for implementing an IoT solution. While the book explains all the leading IoT wireless technologies, the focus is on LTE and 5G cellular technologies. With a review of real-world cellular IoT solution case studies and future IoT trends, you'll be ready to work with wireless IoT technologies, devices, and architectures.By the end of this book, you'll be able to identify the best wireless technologies for your IoT use cases and successfully implement cellular IoT solutions addressing key issues in the solution life cycle.

Unity 6 Game Development with C# Scripting. Leverage C# scripting in Unity to create immersive games and VR experiences

Lem Apperson, Jonathan Weinberger

As developers tackle the growing complexity of creating immersive, high-performance games, the need for robust and efficient scripting continues to increase. Written by a game developer and Unity/C# expert known for his Apple App Store titles and extensive certifications, this book will help both new and seasoned developers overcome this challenge by helping you build a solid foundation in C# scripting within Unity and navigate the increasing demands of real-time game development.You’ll explore Unity-specific strategies for creating engaging user interfaces, vital in today's dynamic gaming landscape. The chapters walk you through Unity-specific classes and methods, empowering you to create diverse gaming experiences in both 3D and 2D environments. You’ll also manage complex developmental aspects, including AI, multiplayer setups, and VR integration, which are becoming increasingly relevant in the evolving gaming industry. The book serves as an invaluable resource for troubleshooting, offering techniques for debugging C# scripts and optimizing game performance—essential for crafting smooth and immersive gaming experiences.By the end of this book, you’ll be able to create both simple and complex games in Unity, opening doors to careers in game development and interactive media design.

Modern C++ Programming Cookbook. Master Modern C++ with comprehensive solutions for C++23 and all previous standards - Third Edition

Marius Bancila

The updated third edition of Modern C++ Programming Cookbook addresses the latest features of C++23, such as the stacktrace library, std::expected and std::mdspan classes, the header, formatting library improvements, and updates to the ranges library. It also gets into more C++20 topics not previously covered, such as sync streams and source_location.The book is organized into practical recipes covering a wide range of real-world problems, helping you find the solutions you need quickly. You’ll find coverage of all the core concepts of modern C++ programming and features and techniques from C++11 through to C++23, meaning you’ll stay ahead of the curve by learning to incorporate the newest language and library improvements.Beyond the core concepts and new features, you’ll explore recipes related to performance and best practices, how to implement useful patterns and idioms, like pimpl, named parameter, attorney-client, and the factory pattern, and how to complete unit testing with the widely used C++ libraries: Boost.Test, Google Test, and Catch2.With the comprehensive coverage this C++ programming guide offers, by the end of the book you’ll have everything you need to build performant, scalable, and efficient applications in C++.

CompTIA CASP+ CAS-004 Certification Guide. Develop CASP+ skills and learn all the key topics needed to prepare for the certification exam

Mark Birch

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) ensures that security practitioners stay on top of the ever-changing security landscape. The CompTIA CASP+ CAS-004 Certification Guide offers complete, up-to-date coverage of the CompTIA CAS-004 exam so you can take it with confidence, fully equipped to pass on the first attempt.Written in a clear, succinct way with self-assessment questions, exam tips, and mock exams with detailed explanations, this audiobook covers security architecture, security operations, security engineering, cryptography, governance, risk, and compliance. You'll begin by developing the skills to architect, engineer, integrate, and implement secure solutions across complex environments to support a resilient enterprise. Moving on, you'll discover how to monitor and detect security incidents, implement incident response, and use automation to proactively support ongoing security operations. The audiobook also shows you how to apply security practices in the cloud, on-premises, to endpoints, and to mobile infrastructure. Finally, you'll understand the impact of governance, risk, and compliance requirements throughout the enterprise.By the end of this CASP study guide, you'll have covered everything you need to pass the CompTIA CASP+ CAS-004 certification exam and have a handy reference guide.

Mastering Docker. Unlock new opportunities using Docker's most advanced features - Third Edition

Russ McKendrick, Scott Gallagher

Docker has been a game-changer when it comes to how modern applications are deployed and created. It has now grown into a key driver of innovation beyond system administration, with an impact on the world of web development. But how can you make sure you're keeping up with the innovations it's driving, or be sure you're using it to its full potential? Mastering Docker shows you how; this book not only demonstrates how to use Docker more effectively, but also helps you rethink and reimagine what's possible with it. You will cover concepts such as building, managing, and storing images, along with best practices to make you confident, before delving more into Docker security. You'll find everything related to extending and integrating Docker in new and innovative ways. Docker Compose, Docker Swarm, and Kubernetes will help you take control of your containers in an efficient manner.By the end of the book, you will have a broad, yet detailed, sense of what's possible with Docker, and how seamlessly it fits in with a range of other platforms and tools.