Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0 (EJB 3.0) is a vital component of Sunβs new lightweight Java Enterprise Edition 5 platform (Java EE 5). They are used for the development and deployment of component-based enterprise business applications such as transaction-based applications. Ever since its first release, EJB has been the subject of much media attention and no little controversy. EJBs represent a sophisticated and powerful technology and EJB-based applications can support high numbers of transactions and users, with maximum security. However, previous incarnations of EJB have come to be regarded by many as an overly complex technology that can lead to costly and time-consuming solutions that are difficult to build, implement and maintain. The new lightweight EJB 3 is set to change all that. It has made huge advances in ease of development, and its drastically simplified programming model has been widely acclaimed and embraced. Beginning EJB 3 takes the reader through the details of the EJB 3.0 architecture, and shows how EJB can be used to develop powerful, standards-based backend business logic. With 12 years of combined EJB experience, the authors offer many practical insights into the entire EJB architecture, covering all areas of the EJB 3.0 specification, including its new persistence framework, simplified development model, and other key new features.