Discover end-to-end penetration testing solutions to enhance your ethical hacking skills Key Features * Practical recipes to conduct effective penetration testing using the latest version of Kali Linux * Leverage tools like Metasploit, Wireshark, Nmap, and more to detect vulnerabilities with ease * Confidently perform networking and application attacks using task-oriented recipes Book Description Many organizations have been affected by recent cyber events. At the current rate of hacking, it has become more important than ever to pentest your environment in order to ensure advanced-level security. This book is packed with practical recipes that will quickly get you started with Kali Linux (version 2018.4 / 2019), in addition to covering the core functionalities. The book will get you off to a strong start by introducing you to the installation and configuration of Kali Linux, which will help you to perform your tests. You will also learn how to plan attack strategies and perform web application exploitation using tools such as Burp and JexBoss. As you progress, you will get to grips with performing network exploitation using Metasploit, Sparta, and Wireshark. The book will also help you delve into the technique of carrying out wireless and password attacks using tools such as Patator, John the Ripper, and airoscript-ng. Later chapters will draw focus to the wide range of tools that help in forensics investigations and incident response mechanisms. As you wrap up the concluding chapters, you will learn to create an optimum quality pentest report. By the end of this book, you will be equipped with the knowledge you need to conduct advanced penetration testing, thanks to the book’s crisp and task-oriented recipes. What you will learn * Learn how to install, set up and customize Kali for pentesting on multiple platforms * Pentest routers and embedded devices * Get insights into fiddling around with software-defined radio * Pwn and escalate through a corporate network * Write good quality security reports * Explore digital forensics and memory analysis with Kali Linux Who this book is for If you are an IT security professional, pentester, or security analyst who wants to conduct advanced penetration testing techniques, then this book is for you. Basic knowledge of Kali Linux is assumed.

Leverage the power of Tensorflow to Create powerful software agents that can self-learn to perform real-world tasks Key Features * Explore efficient Reinforcement Learning algorithms and code them using TensorFlow and Python * Train Reinforcement Learning agents for problems, ranging from computer games to autonomous driving. * Formulate and devise selective algorithms and techniques in your applications in no time. Book Description Advances in reinforcement learning algorithms have made it possible to use them for optimal control in several different industrial applications. With this book, you will apply Reinforcement Learning to a range of problems, from computer games to autonomous driving. The book starts by introducing you to essential Reinforcement Learning concepts such as agents, environments, rewards, and advantage functions. You will also master the distinctions between on-policy and off-policy algorithms, as well as model-free and model-based algorithms. You will also learn about several Reinforcement Learning algorithms, such as SARSA, Deep Q-Networks (DQN), Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients (DDPG), Asynchronous Advantage Actor-Critic (A3C), Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO), and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO). The book will also show you how to code these algorithms in TensorFlow and Python and apply them to solve computer games from OpenAI Gym. Finally, you will also learn how to train a car to drive autonomously in the Torcs racing car simulator. By the end of the book, you will be able to design, build, train, and evaluate feed-forward neural networks and convolutional neural networks. You will also have mastered coding state-of-the-art algorithms and also training agents for various control problems. What you will learn * Understand the theory and concepts behind modern Reinforcement Learning algorithms * Code state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning algorithms with discrete or continuous actions * Develop Reinforcement Learning algorithms and apply them to training agents to play computer games * Explore DQN, DDQN, and Dueling architectures to play Atari's Breakout using TensorFlow * Use A3C to play CartPole and LunarLander * Train an agent to drive a car autonomously in a simulator Who this book is for Data scientists and AI developers who wish to quickly get started with training effective reinforcement learning models in TensorFlow will find this book very useful. Prior knowledge of machine learning and deep learning concepts (as well as exposure to Python programming) will be useful.

Leverage the full potential of IoT with the combination of Raspberry Pi 3 and Python and architect a complete IoT system that is the best fit for your organization Key Features * Build complex Python-based applications with IoT * Explore different concepts, technologies, and tradeoffs in the IoT architectural stack * Delve deep into each element of the IoT design—from sensors to the cloud Book Description The Internet of Things (IoT) is the fastest growing technology market. Industries are embracing IoT technologies to improve operational expenses, product life, and people's well-being. We’ll begin our journey with an introduction to Raspberry Pi and quickly jump right into Python programming. We’ll learn all concepts through multiple projects, and then reinforce our learnings by creating an IoT robot car. We’ll examine modern sensor systems and focus on what their power and functionality can bring to our system. We’ll also gain insight into cloud and fog architectures, including the OpenFog standards. The Learning Path will conclude by discussing three forms of prevalent attacks and ways to improve the security of our IoT infrastructure. By the end of this Learning Path, we will have traversed the entire spectrum of technologies needed to build a successful IoT system, and will have the confidence to build, secure, and monitor our IoT infrastructure. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: * Internet of Things Programming Projects by Colin Dow * Internet of Things for Architects by Perry Lea What you will learn * Build a home security dashboard using an infrared motion detector * Receive data and display it with an actuator connected to the Raspberry Pi * Build an IoT robot car that is controlled via the Internet * Use IP-based communication to easily and quickly scale your system * Explore cloud protocols, such as Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and CoAP * Secure communication with encryption forms, such as symmetric key Who this book is for This Learning Path is designed for developers, architects, and system designers who are interested in building exciting projects with Python by understanding the IoT ecosphere, various technologies, and tradeoffs. Technologists and technology managers who want to develop a broad view of IoT architecture, will also find this Learning Path useful. Prior programming knowledge of Python is a must.

Discover techniques to enhance your videos with complex animation Key Features * Design, animate, and sequence a complete motion graphics project * Work with compositions and pre-compositions to create animations speedily * Maximize your motion graphics and visual effects skills Book Description If you’re thinking seriously about making and publishing your videos with professional editing and animation, look no further! Adobe After Effects is a popular tool among video editors and YouTubers to enhance their videos and bring them to life by implementing visual effects and motion graphics. This book will take you right from the basics through to the advanced techniques in Adobe After Effects CC 2018. You will start by setting up your editing environment to learn and improve techniques to sharpen your video editing skills. Furthermore, you will work with basic and advanced special effects to create, modify, and optimize motion graphics in your videos. Lastly, you will not only learn how to create 2.5D animations, but also get to grips with using Cinema 4D Lite to build and animate complete 3D scenes. By the end of the book, you’ll have learned how to package a video efficiently with the help of the projects covered. What you will learn * Create a lower third project for a TV show with complex layers * Work with shape layer animation to create an animated lyrics video * Explore different tools to animate characters * Apply text animation to create a dynamic film-opening title * Use professional visual effects to create a VFX project * Model, light, and composite your 3D project in After Effects Who this book is for If you’re a student, professional, YouTuber, or anyone who is interested in video editing, animation, and motion graphics, this book is for you. You’ll also find this resource useful if you’re an Illustrator looking to put your creations in motion.

An expert guide to implementing fast, secure, and scalable decentralized applications that work with thousands of users in real time Key Features * Implement advanced features of the Ethereum network to build powerful decentralized applications * Build smart contracts on different domains using the programming techniques of Solidity and Vyper * Explore the architecture of Ethereum network to understand advanced use cases of blockchain development Book Description Ethereum is one of the commonly used platforms for building blockchain applications. It's a decentralized platform for applications that can run exactly as programmed without being affected by fraud, censorship, or third-party interference. This book will give you a deep understanding of how blockchain works so that you can discover the entire ecosystem, core components, and its implementations. You will get started by understanding how to configure and work with various Ethereum protocols for developing dApps. Next, you will learn to code and create powerful smart contracts that scale with Solidity and Vyper. You will then explore the building blocks of the dApps architecture, and gain insights on how to create your own dApp through a variety of real-world examples. The book will even guide you on how to deploy your dApps on multiple Ethereum instances with the required best practices and techniques. The next few chapters will delve into advanced topics such as, building advanced smart contracts and multi-page frontends using Ethereum blockchain. You will also focus on implementing machine learning techniques to build decentralized autonomous applications, in addition to covering several use cases across a variety of domains such as, social media and e-commerce. By the end of this book, you will have the expertise you need to build decentralized autonomous applications confidently. What you will learn * Apply scalability solutions on dApps with Plasma and state channels * Understand the important metrics of blockchain for analyzing and determining its state * Develop a decentralized web application using React.js and Node.js * Create oracles with Node.js to provide external data to smart contracts * Get to grips with using Etherscan and block explorers for various transactions * Explore web3.js, Solidity, and Vyper for dApps communication * Deploy apps with multiple Ethereum instances including TestRPC, private chain, test chain, and mainnet Who this book is for This book is for anyone who wants to build fast, highly secure, and transactional decentralized applications. If you are an Ethereum developer looking to perfect your existing skills in building powerful blockchain applications, then this book is for you. Basic knowledge of Ethereum and blockchain is necessary to understand the concepts covered in this book.

Build customized solutions for your business using the latest features of Odoo 12 and Python Key Features * Get up to speed with Odoo 12 to create custom and reusable modules * Interconnect your application with other systems by implementing web APIs * Understand the mechanisms powering the Odoo framework and Odoo.sh to build robust enterprises Book Description Odoo is a powerful framework known for rapid application development. Its latest release, Odoo 12, introduces tons of new features. With this book, you’ll learn how to develop powerful Odoo applications from scratch, using all the latest features. This Odoo cookbook starts by covering Odoo installation and deployment on the server. Next, you’ll explore the Odoo framework with real-world examples. You’ll create a new Odoo module from the ground up and progress to advanced framework concepts. You’ll also learn how to modify existing applications, including Point of Sale (POS). This book is not just limited to backend development; the advanced JavaScript recipes for creating new views and widgets will help you build beautiful UI elements. As you move forward, you’ll gain insights into website development and become a quality Odoo developer by studying performance optimization, debugging, and automated tests. Finally, you’ll learn the latest concepts like multi-website, In-App Purchasing (IAP), Odoo.sh, and IoT Box. By the end of the book, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to build powerful Odoo applications. The development best practices used in this book will undoubtedly come handy when you are working with the Odoo framework. What you will learn * Develop a module in the Odoo framework and modify the existing flow of any application * Build dynamic websites with Odoo CMS * Create and modify backend JavaScript components in Odoo and POS * Connect and access any object in Odoo via Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) * Illustrate the different tools available in Odoo to implement business processes for your records * Implement in-app purchase services * Manage, deploy, and test an Odoo instance with the PaaS Odoo.sh * Configure IoT Box to add and upgrade Point of Sale (POS) hardware Who this book is for If you're a Python developer who wants to develop highly efficient business applications with the latest Odoo framework, or if you just want a solution guide for all your Odoo development issues, this book is for you. Some JavaScript programming and web development experience is necessary to get the most out of this book.

A comprehensive certification guide that will help you prepare for the exam from day one of your preparation journey Key Features * Get well-versed with the nitty-gritty of Windows server 2016 * A practical guide towards installing, upgrading, and migrating to Windows Server 2016 * Enhance your skills with practice questions and mock tests Book Description MCSA: Windows Server 2016 is one of the most sought-after certifications for IT professionals which include working with Windows Server and performing administrative tasks around it. It targets Exam 70-740, Exam 70-741, Exam 70-742 and Exam 70-743 certifications and the demand for these certifications is increasingly high. This book will start with installation, upgrade and migration to Windows Server 2016, cover imaging and deployment and proceed with High Availability and Clustering. Then we will deep dive into fundamental concepts like Core networking, DNS, DHCP, Storage and proceed to Hyper-V, Network Access and Distributed File System. It will also explain Advanced Networking topics such as Software Defined Networking and High-Performance Networking. Furthermore, it will also cover advanced Identity topics in Windows Server 2016 such as Active Directory installation and configuration, Group Policy, Active Directory Certificate Services, and Active Directory Federation Services and Rights Management. Towards the end of this book, test questions and mock preparation items will help in preparing for the certifications with more ease. By the end of this book, you will be able to complete MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification with more confidence. What you will learn * Prepare for exam 70-741 Networking with Windows Server 2016 * Learn to apply the technology to real-world examples * Learn core networking, name resolution and connectivity technologies in Windows Server 2016. * Get prepared for exam 70-742 Identity with Windows Server 2016 * Get ways to clear the exam 70-743 Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA: Windows Server 2016 * Practice critical skills and test your knowledge of the objectives of all three MCSA exams Who this book is for This book is targeted towards system administrators or windows server administrators who are interested in clearing the MCSA certification with ease.

Create highly efficient design patterns for scalability, redundancy, and high availability in the AWS Cloud Key Features * Build highly robust systems using the cloud infrastructure * Make web applications resilient against scheduled and accidental downtime * Explore and apply Amazon-provided services in unique ways to solve common design problems Book Description Whether you're just getting your feet wet in cloud infrastructure or already creating complex systems, this book will guide you through using the patterns to fit your system needs. Starting with patterns that cover basic processes such as source control and infrastructure-as-code, the book goes on to introduce cloud security practices. You'll then cover patterns of availability and scalability and get acquainted with the ephemeral nature of cloud environments. You'll also explore advanced DevOps patterns in operations and maintenance, before focusing on virtualization patterns such as containerization and serverless computing. In the final leg of your journey, this book will delve into data persistence and visualization patterns. You'll get to grips with architectures for processing static and dynamic data, as well as practices for managing streaming data. By the end of this book, you will be able to design applications that are tolerant of underlying hardware failures, resilient against an unexpected influx of data, and easy to manage and replicate. What you will learn * Implement scaling policies on schedules, influxes in traffic, and deep health checks * Make complete use of highly available and redundant storage * Design content delivery networks to improve user experience * Optimize databases through caching and sharding * Apply patterns to solve common problems * Implement repeatable processes for deploying systems Who this book is for If you’re an architect, solution provider, or DevOps community member looking to implement repeatable patterns for deploying and maintaining services in the Amazon cloud infrastructure, this book is for you. You’ll need prior experience of using AWS understand key concepts covered in the book, as it focuses on the patterns rather than the basics of using AWS.

Learn the fundamentals, practical applications, and latest features of C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 from expert teacher Mark J. Price. Key Features * Build modern, cross-platform applications with .NET Core 3.0 * Get up to speed with C#, and up to date with all the latest features of C# 8.0 * Start creating professional web applications with ASP.NET Core 3.0 Book Description In C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 – Modern Cross-Platform Development, Fourth Edition, expert teacher Mark J. Price gives you everything you need to start programming C# applications. This latest edition uses the popular Visual Studio Code editor to work across all major operating systems. It is fully updated and expanded with new chapters on Content Management Systems (CMS) and machine learning with ML.NET. The book covers all the topics you need. Part 1 teaches the fundamentals of C#, including object-oriented programming, and new C# 8.0 features such as nullable reference types, simplified switch pattern matching, and default interface methods. Part 2 covers the .NET Standard APIs, such as managing and querying data, monitoring and improving performance, working with the filesystem, async streams, serialization, and encryption. Part 3 provides examples of cross-platform applications you can build and deploy, such as web apps using ASP.NET Core or mobile apps using Xamarin.Forms. The book introduces three technologies for building Windows desktop applications including Windows Forms, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, as well as web applications, web services, and mobile apps. What you will learn * Build cross-platform applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android * Explore application development with C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 * Explore ASP.NET Core 3.0 and create professional web applications * Learn object-oriented programming and C# multitasking * Query and manipulate data using LINQ * Use Entity Framework Core and work with relational databases * Discover Windows app development using the Universal Windows Platform and XAML * Build mobile applications for iOS and Android using Xamarin.Forms Who this book is for Readers with some prior programming experience or with a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) background, who want to gain a solid foundation with C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0.

Learn how to use Unreal Engine 4 by building 3D and multiplayer games using Blueprints Key Features * Learn the fundamentals of Unreal Engine such as project templates, Blueprints, and C++ * Learn to design games; use UMG to create menus and HUDs, and replication to create multiplayer games * Build dynamic game elements using Animation Blueprints and Behavior Trees Book Description Unreal Engine is a popular game engine for developers to build high-end 2D and 3D games. This book is a practical guide, starting off by quickly introducing you to the Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) ecosystem. You will learn how to create Blueprints and C++ code to define your game's functionality. You will be familiarized with the core systems of UE4 such as UMG, Animation Blueprints, and Behavior Trees. You will also learn how to use replication to create multiplayer games. By the end of this book, you will have a broad, solid knowledge base to expand upon on your journey with UE4. What you will learn * Use project templates to give your game a head start * Create custom Blueprints and C++ classes and extend from Epic's base classes * Use UMG to create menus and HUDs for your game * Create more dynamic characters using Animation Blueprints * Learn how to create complex AI with Behavior Trees * Use replication to create multiplayer games * Optimize, test, and deploy a UE4 project Who this book is for Readers who already have some game development experience and Unity users who would like to try UE4 will all benefit from this book. Knowledge of basic Object-Oriented Programming topics such as variables, functions, and classes is assumed.

Enhance your skills in building scalable infrastructure for your cloud-based applications Key Features * Learn to design a scalable architecture by building continuous integration (CI) pipelines with Kubernetes * Get an in-depth understanding of role-based access control (RBAC), continuous deployment (CD), and observability * Monitor a Kubernetes cluster with Prometheus and Grafana Book Description Kubernetes is among the most popular open-source platforms for automating the deployment, scaling, and operations of application containers across clusters of hosts, providing a container-centric infrastructure. Hands-On Microservices with Kubernetes starts by providing you with in-depth insights into the synergy between Kubernetes and microservices. You will learn how to use Delinkcious, which will serve as a live lab throughout the book to help you understand microservices and Kubernetes concepts in the context of a real-world application. Next, you will get up to speed with setting up a CI/CD pipeline and configuring microservices using Kubernetes ConfigMaps. As you cover later chapters, you will gain hands-on experience in securing microservices, and implementing REST, gRPC APIs, and a Delinkcious data store. In addition to this, you’ll explore the Nuclio project, run a serverless task on Kubernetes, and manage and implement data-intensive tests. Toward the concluding chapters, you’ll deploy microservices on Kubernetes and learn to maintain a well-monitored system. Finally, you’ll discover the importance of service meshes and how to incorporate Istio into the Delinkcious cluster. By the end of this book, you’ll have gained the skills you need to implement microservices on Kubernetes with the help of effective tools and best practices. What you will learn * Understand the synergy between Kubernetes and microservices * Create a complete CI/CD pipeline for your microservices on Kubernetes * Develop microservices on Kubernetes with the Go kit framework using best practices * Manage and monitor your system using Kubernetes and open-source tools * Expose your services through REST and gRPC APIs * Implement and deploy serverless functions as a service * Externalize authentication, authorization and traffic shaping using a service mesh * Run a Kubernetes cluster in the cloud on Google Kubernetes Engine Who this book is for This book is for developers, DevOps engineers, or anyone who wants to develop large-scale microservice-based systems on top of Kubernetes. If you are looking to use Kubernetes on live production projects or want to migrate existing systems to a modern containerized microservices system, then this book is for you. Coding skills, together with some knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud concepts will be useful.

Get up to speed with various penetration testing techniques and resolve security threats of varying complexity Key Features * Enhance your penetration testing skills to tackle security threats * Learn to gather information, find vulnerabilities, and exploit enterprise defenses * Navigate secured systems with the most up-to-date version of Kali Linux (2019.1) and Metasploit (5.0.0) Book Description Sending information via the internet is not entirely private, as evidenced by the rise in hacking, malware attacks, and security threats. With the help of this book, you'll learn crucial penetration testing techniques to help you evaluate enterprise defenses. You'll start by understanding each stage of pentesting and deploying target virtual machines, including Linux and Windows. Next, the book will guide you through performing intermediate penetration testing in a controlled environment. With the help of practical use cases, you'll also be able to implement your learning in real-world scenarios. By studying everything from setting up your lab, information gathering and password attacks, through to social engineering and post exploitation, you'll be able to successfully overcome security threats. The book will even help you leverage the best tools, such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and other open source pentesting tools to perform these techniques. Toward the later chapters, you'll focus on best practices to quickly resolve security threats. By the end of this book, you'll be well versed with various penetration testing techniques so as to be able to tackle security threats effectively What you will learn * Perform entry-level penetration tests by learning various concepts and techniques * Understand both common and not-so-common vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective * Get familiar with intermediate attack methods that can be used in real-world scenarios * Understand how vulnerabilities are created by developers and how to fix some of them at source code level * Become well versed with basic tools for ethical hacking purposes * Exploit known vulnerable services with tools such as Metasploit Who this book is for If you’re just getting started with penetration testing and want to explore various security domains, this book is for you. Security professionals, network engineers, and amateur ethical hackers will also find this book useful. Prior knowledge of penetration testing and ethical hacking is not necessary.

Build efficient forecasting models using traditional time series models and machine learning algorithms. Key Features * Perform time series analysis and forecasting using R packages such as Forecast and h2o * Develop models and find patterns to create visualizations using the TSstudio and plotly packages * Master statistics and implement time-series methods using examples mentioned Book Description Time series analysis is the art of extracting meaningful insights from, and revealing patterns in, time series data using statistical and data visualization approaches. These insights and patterns can then be utilized to explore past events and forecast future values in the series. This book explores the basics of time series analysis with R and lays the foundations you need to build forecasting models. You will learn how to preprocess raw time series data and clean and manipulate data with packages such as stats, lubridate, xts, and zoo. You will analyze data and extract meaningful information from it using both descriptive statistics and rich data visualization tools in R such as the TSstudio, plotly, and ggplot2 packages. The later section of the book delves into traditional forecasting models such as time series linear regression, exponential smoothing (Holt, Holt-Winter, and more) and Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models with the stats and forecast packages. You'll also cover advanced time series regression models with machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Machine using the h2o package. By the end of this book, you will have the skills needed to explore your data, identify patterns, and build a forecasting model using various traditional and machine learning methods. What you will learn * Visualize time series data and derive better insights * Explore auto-correlation and master statistical techniques * Use time series analysis tools from the stats, TSstudio, and forecast packages * Explore and identify seasonal and correlation patterns * Work with different time series formats in R * Explore time series models such as ARIMA, Holt-Winters, and more * Evaluate high-performance forecasting solutions Who this book is for Hands-On Time Series Analysis with R is ideal for data analysts, data scientists, and all R developers who are looking to perform time series analysis to predict outcomes effectively. A basic knowledge of statistics is required; some knowledge in R is expected, but not mandatory.

Learn exploratory data analysis concepts using powerful R packages to enhance your R data analysis skills Key Features * Speed up your data analysis projects using powerful R packages and techniques * Create multiple hands-on data analysis projects using real-world data * Discover and practice graphical exploratory analysis techniques across domains Book Description Hands-On Exploratory Data Analysis with R will help you build not just a foundation but also expertise in the elementary ways to analyze data. You will learn how to understand your data and summarize its main characteristics. You'll also uncover the structure of your data, and you'll learn graphical and numerical techniques using the R language. This book covers the entire exploratory data analysis (EDA) process—data collection, generating statistics, distribution, and invalidating the hypothesis. As you progress through the book, you will learn how to set up a data analysis environment with tools such as ggplot2, knitr, and R Markdown, using tools such as DOE Scatter Plot and SML2010 for multifactor, optimization, and regression data problems. By the end of this book, you will be able to successfully carry out a preliminary investigation on any dataset, identify hidden insights, and present your results in a business context. What you will learn * Learn powerful R techniques to speed up your data analysis projects * Import, clean, and explore data using powerful R packages * Practice graphical exploratory analysis techniques * Create informative data analysis reports using ggplot2 * Identify and clean missing and erroneous data * Explore data analysis techniques to analyze multi-factor datasets Who this book is for Hands-On Exploratory Data Analysis with R is for data enthusiasts who want to build a strong foundation for data analysis. If you are a data analyst, data engineer, software engineer, or product manager, this book will sharpen your skills in the complete workflow of exploratory data analysis.

Explore distributed ledger technology, decentralization, and smart contracts and develop real-time decentralized applications with Ethereum and Solidity Key Features * Get to grips with the underlying technical principles and implementations of blockchain * Build powerful applications using Ethereum to secure transactions and create smart contracts * Gain advanced insights into cryptography and cryptocurrencies Book Description Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger with applications in industries such as finance, government, and media. This Learning Path is your guide to building blockchain networks using Ethereum, JavaScript, and Solidity. You will get started by understanding the technical foundations of blockchain technology, including distributed systems, cryptography and how this digital ledger keeps data secure. Further into the chapters, you’ll gain insights into developing applications using Ethereum and Hyperledger. As you build on your knowledge of Ether security, mining , smart contracts, and Solidity, you’ll learn how to create robust and secure applications that run exactly as programmed without being affected by fraud, censorship, or third-party interference. Toward the concluding chapters, you’ll explore how blockchain solutions can be implemented in applications such as IoT apps, in addition to its use in currencies. The Learning Path will also highlight how you can increase blockchain scalability and even discusses the future scope of this fascinating and powerful technology. By the end of this Learning Path, you'll be equipped with the skills you need to tackle pain points encountered in the blockchain life cycle and confidently design and deploy decentralized applications. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: * Mastering Blockchain - Second Edition by Imran Bashir * Building Blockchain Projects by Narayan Prusty What you will learn * Understand why decentralized applications are important * Discover the mechanisms behind bitcoin and alternative cryptocurrencies * Master how cryptography is used to secure data with the help of examples * Maintain, monitor, and manage your blockchain solutions * Create Ethereum wallets * Explore research topics and the future scope of blockchain technology Who this book is for This Learning Path is designed for blockchain developers who want to build decentralized applications and smart contracts from scratch using Hyperledger. Basic familiarity with any programming language will be useful to get started with this Learning Path.

Integrate open source data analytics and build business intelligence on SQL databases with Apache Superset. The quick, intuitive nature for data visualization in a web application makes it easy for creating interactive dashboards. Key Features *Work with Apache Superset's rich set of data visualizations *Create interactive dashboards and data storytelling *Easily explore data Book Description Apache Superset is a modern, open source, enterprise-ready business intelligence (BI) web application. With the help of this book, you will see how Superset integrates with popular databases like Postgres, Google BigQuery, Snowflake, and MySQL. You will learn to create real time data visualizations and dashboards on modern web browsers for your organization using Superset. First, we look at the fundamentals of Superset, and then get it up and running. You'll go through the requisite installation, configuration, and deployment. Then, we will discuss different columnar data types, analytics, and the visualizations available. You'll also see the security tools available to the administrator to keep your data safe. You will learn how to visualize relationships as graphs instead of coordinates on plain orthogonal axes. This will help you when you upload your own entity relationship dataset and analyze the dataset in new, different ways. You will also see how to analyze geographical regions by working with location data. Finally, we cover a set of tutorials on dashboard designs frequently used by analysts, business intelligence professionals, and developers. What you will learn *Get to grips with the fundamentals of data exploration using Superset *Set up a working instance of Superset on cloud services like Google Compute Engine *Integrate Superset with SQL databases *Build dashboards with Superset *Calculate statistics in Superset for numerical, categorical, or text data *Understand visualization techniques, filtering, and grouping by aggregation *Manage user roles and permissions in Superset *Work with SQL Lab Who this book is for This book is for data analysts, BI professionals, and developers who want to learn Apache Superset. If you want to create interactive dashboards from SQL databases, this book is what you need. Working knowledge of Python will be an advantage but not necessary to understand this book.

Take your comics and illustrations to the next level with the powerful art tools in Clip Studio Paint 1.8 Key Features *Overcome “interface overwhelm” with a practical breakdown of the Clip Studio interface *Comprehensive guide on the Clip Studio Paint with detailed coverage of all the tools and concepts of designing comics *Streamline your workflow to create faster and easier using Clip Studio’s features Book Description Clip Studio Paint, the successor to Manga Studio, is used by over four million illustrators and comic creators around the world. This book will guide you through every step of learning this software, from system requirements and installation, all the way through to exporting your work for print or the web. Learn how to create new documents, customize tools to fit your working style, use ruler tools to create anything from straight lines to intricate backgrounds, add 3D elements, create comic panels using the specialized panel tools, utilize screentones and materials, add text and word balloons to your comics, create sound effects, easily flat and color your comics using reference layers, and bring your drawings to life using the animation features. By the end of this book, you will be able to navigate the Clip Studio Interface and program preferences, customize the various tools, and be able to create your own black-and-white and color illustrations and comics from start to finish. What you will learn *Understand the differences between Clip Studio Paint Pro and EX *Discover how to navigate and customize the user interface *Creating custom tools that fit your unique style of illustration *Using the ruler tools to create intricate perspective shots and complex symmetry *Discover how to use 3D elements in your work *Learn how to create lettering and word balloons to bring your comic stories to life *Understand the process of digital art creation from pencils to inks to color *Understand how to use the animation tools available in Clip Studio Paint Who this book is for If you are a beginning digital artist or are switching to Clip Studio from another graphics software, this book is for you. This book is excellent for those with no knowledge of digital art up to intermediate users looking to explore the unique features of Clip Studio Paint.

A fast paced guide for JavaScript developers for writing safe, fast, and reusable code by leveraging ResaonML's strong static type system Key Features *Reduce code errors with the power of type systems *Employ static typechecking and genericity to promote code reuse and consistency *Understand functional programming which is the foundation of type-driven development Book Description Type-driven development is an approach that uses a static type system to achieve results including safety and efficiency. Types are used to express relationships and other assumptions directly in the code, and these assumptions are enforced by the compiler before the code is run. Learn Type-Driven Development covers how to use these type systems to check the logical consistency of your code. This book begins with the basic idea behind type-driven development. You’ll learn about values (or terms) and how they contrast with types. As you progress through the chapters, you’ll cover how to combine types and values inside modules and build structured types out of simpler ones. You’ll then understand how to express choices or alternatives directly in the type system using variants, polymorphic variants, and generalized algebraic data types. You’ll also get to grips with sum types, build sophisticated data types from generics, and explore functions that express change in the types of values. In the concluding chapters, you’ll cover advanced techniques for code reuse, such as parametric polymorphism and subtyping. By end of this book, you will have learned how to iterate through a type-driven process of solving coding problems using static types, together with dynamic behavior, to obtain more safety and speed. What you will learn *Use static types to capture information, making programs safer and faster *Learn ReasonML from experienced type-driven developers *Enhance safety by simply using basic types *Understand the most important type-driven concepts with simple examples *Explore a design space using static typing and find the best way to express your system rules *Use static types and dynamic runtime in harmony to write even safer and faster code Who this book is for If you’re a programmer working with dynamically typed languages and are looking for ways to mitigate production runtime errors, Learn Type-Driven Development is for you. You’ll also find this book helpful if you’re a programmer working with statically typed languages looking for increased safety and improved performance.

Explore various Azure services to build solutions that leverage effective design patterns Key Features *Create, deploy, and host cloud applications on Azure *Understand various Azure services that help you host serverless applications *Explore practical examples to help you secure and troubleshoot your cloud environment Book Description Azure is one of the leading public cloud service providers. Thanks to a number of Azure service updates, it continues to make advances in the realm of cloud computing. Learn Microsoft Azure starts with the fundamentals of cloud computing. You will learn to configure and set up the Azure infrastructure. As you make your way through the book, you'll explore Azure services, along with working on virtual memory systems (VMS) and deployment models. You will understand various services in the Azure ecosystem, such as Azure IoT and Azure Analytics, among others. An easy-to-follow introduction to various cloud design patterns will also add to your efficiency in designing cloud solutions. In the concluding chapters, you'll secure your virtual networks using Network security groups and configure Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to set a custom domain name and company profile. By the end of this book, you will have learned to secure and troubleshoot your Azure cloud environment and be fully aware of best practices for Azure cloud administration. What you will learn *Understand the cloud services offered by Azure *Design storage and networks in Azure for your Azure VM *Work with web apps and Azure SQL databases *Build your identity management solutions on Azure using Azure AD *Monitor, protect, and automate your Azure services using Operation Management Suite (OMS) *Implement OMS for Azure services Who this book is for Learn Microsoft Azure is for administrators, cloud engineers, and developers who want to get started with using Azure as their cloud platform and build cloud-based applications for their enterprises.

Build real-world projects like a smart contract deployment platform, betting apps, wallet services, and much more using blockchain Key Features *Apply blockchain principles and features for making your life and business better *Understand Ethereum for smart contracts and DApp deployment *Tackle current and future challenges and problems relating to blockchain Book Description Blockchain applications provide a single-shared ledger to eliminate trust issues involving multiple stakeholders. It is the main technical innovation of Bitcoin, where it serves as the public ledger for Bitcoin transactions. Blockchain Developer's Guide takes you through the electrifying world of blockchain technology. It begins with the basic design of a blockchain and elaborates concepts, such as Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), tokens, smart contracts, and other related terminologies. You will then explore the components of Ethereum, such as Ether tokens, transactions, and smart contracts that you need to build simple DApps. Blockchain Developer's Guide also explains why you must specifically use Solidity for Ethereum-based projects and lets you explore different blockchains with easy-to-follow examples. You will learn a wide range of concepts - beginning with cryptography in cryptocurrencies and including ether security, mining, and smart contracts. You will learn how to use web sockets and various API services for Ethereum. By the end of this Learning Path, you will be able to build efficient decentralized applications. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: *Blockchain Quick Reference by Brenn Hill, Samanyu Chopra, Paul Valencourt *Building Blockchain Projects by Narayan Prusty What you will learn *Understand how various components of the blockchain architecture work *Get familiar with cryptography and the mechanics behind blockchain *Apply consensus protocol to determine the business sustainability *Understand what ICOs and crypto-mining are, and how they work Who this book is for Blockchain Developer's Guide is for you if you want to get to grips with the blockchain technology and develop your own distributed applications. It is also designed for those who want to polish their existing knowledge regarding the various pillars of the blockchain ecosystem. Prior exposure to an object-oriented programming language such as JavaScript is needed.

The essential blueprints and workflow you need to build successful AI business applications Key Features *Learn and master the essential blueprints to program AI for real-world business applications *Gain insights into how modern AI and machine learning solve core business challenges *Acquire practical techniques and a workflow that can build AI applications using state-of-the-art software libraries *Work with a practical, code-based strategy for creating successful AI solutions in your business Book Description AI Blueprints gives you a working framework and the techniques to build your own successful AI business applications. You’ll learn across six business scenarios how AI can solve critical challenges with state-of-the-art AI software libraries and a well thought out workflow. Along the way you’ll discover the practical techniques to build AI business applications from first design to full coding and deployment. The AI blueprints in this book solve key business scenarios. The first blueprint uses AI to find solutions for building plans for cloud computing that are on-time and under budget. The second blueprint involves an AI system that continuously monitors social media to gauge public feeling about a topic of interest - such as self-driving cars. You’ll learn how to approach AI business problems and apply blueprints that can ensure success. The next AI scenario shows you how to approach the problem of creating a recommendation engine and monitoring how those recommendations perform. The fourth blueprint shows you how to use deep learning to find your business logo in social media photos and assess how people interact with your products. Learn the practical techniques involved and how to apply these blueprints intelligently. The fifth blueprint is about how to best design a ‘trending now’ section on your website, much like the one we know from Twitter. The sixth blueprint shows how to create helpful chatbots so that an AI system can understand customers’ questions and answer them with relevant responses. This book continuously demonstrates a working framework and strategy for building AI business applications. Along the way, you’ll also learn how to prepare for future advances in AI. You’ll gain a workflow and a toolbox of patterns and techniques so that you can create your own smart code. What you will learn *An essential toolbox of blueprints and advanced techniques for building AI business applications *How to design and deploy AI applications that meet today’s business needs *A workflow from first design stages to practical code solutions in your next AI projects *Solutions for AI projects that involve social media analytics and recommendation engines *Practical projects and techniques for sentiment analysis and helpful chatbots *A blueprint for AI projects that recommend products based on customer purchasing habits *How to prepare yourself for the next decade of AI and machine learning advancements Who this book is for Programming AI Business Applications provides an introduction to AI with real-world examples. This book can be read and understood by programmers and students without requiring previous AI experience. The projects in this book make use of Java and Python and several popular and state-of-the-art opensource AI libraries.