"The TINI Specification and Developer's Guide" (Addison-Wesley; ISBN 0-201-72218-3) by Don Loomis is a guide and the specification to developing applications with TINI (Tiny InterNet Interface). TINI is a Java based API that allows small devices to communicate. TINI depends on a small chipset with a Java programming environment. With TINI, it is possible to write web servers for devices as small as a piece of chewing gum. TINI is from a local company Dallas Semiconductor. If you remember, Dallas Semiconductor was responsible for the JavaRing/iButton that was all the talk a few years ago.

The book is different than most combination guide and specification books. Most of those have a guide section and then a separate specification section. This book only has one. In reality, this book reads like a guide and people looking for the actual specification will be a little disappointed because it has to be derived from the guide material. Fortunately for most of us, we want the guide and not the specification.

Programmers will find the book to be comprehensive because it does not assume any knowledge of embedded programming. It starts off explaining about TINI and the very basics. Then it moves through all the networking facility and ends with programming tips. An Almanac appears in the Appendix.

One good thing about this book is that it is full of small and complete examples of how to use the various functions available. I love being able to open up the book and see an example of how to do things.

If you are interested in TINI, this is a good book. Even though it has no competition, it is a quality book.