This book is a Rational Software Corporation-specific book focusing on the development of J2EE applications (version 1.3) within a RUP (Rational Unified Process) environment. As such, the book has a heavy dependency on UML (version 1.4). The authors aim to give the reader a basic understanding of component architectures and associated technologies, and how these component architectures and technologies are applied in the context of systematic development, specifically the Rational Unified Process. The reader will learn a set of proven best practices, guidelines, and standards that apply to systems development. It will reflect the next version of RUP which is scheduled for release during in 2002. This version of RUP will be a considerable departure from the current version.