Maura and Fadi Deek in the Ying Wu College of Computing share a rich history as spouses and collaborators. Their new book, “From Code to Cloud: Developing Web Applications”, finishes what their colleague James McHugh began together with the two of them prior to his passing in 2022. McHugh was a professor of computer science and information technology whom they credit as a significant influence in guiding their educational and professional careers forward at NJIT. The publication, released on July 7, 2026, exists not only as guide for technophiles and professionals but as a tribute to a fellow researcher, mentor and friend.
Fadi Deek, distinguished professor of informatics and mathematical sciences, and James McHugh have written three books and published dozens of papers together. Their relationship spans over 40 years and began when Deek entered NJIT as an undergraduate student. McHugh subsequently acted as Deek’s senior project advisor, guided him into graduate school, and offered him his first teaching position as a teaching assistant, later becoming a full-time lecturer. McHugh then served as Deek’s Ph.D. advisor and research mentor.
“From Code to Cloud: Developing Web Applications” grew out of a shared vision for another book project between the two men. When Deek ultimately stepped up to become NJIT’s provost and senior executive vice president (2013 - 2022), Maura Deek, senior university lecturer in the Department of Informatics, partnered with McHugh to develop and teach the course IT 202 – Internet Applications, on which the content for the book is based. While the book was still in its early stages, The Deeks committed to finishing the book upon McHugh’s passing.
They invited Wei Yao Ph.D. ’24, assistant professor at UW-Stout Polytechnic, who Fadi Deek served as co-advisor for his dissertation, to become a co-author to assist with original coding content that had since become outdated over time.
“The cloud is an evolving concept, so our book has been updated along with the advancing technology,” said Prof. Deek.
The book encompasses the full cycle of developing web applications and is a guide as well as resource to mastering fundamentals for students in academic programs, self-taught developers seeking structure and focus, and professionals looking to reinforce or revisit key concepts.
According to the promotional text on the book jacket, the work serves as “an essential guide” spanning “from the foundational building blocks of internet protocols and HTML to the intricacies of modern web development frameworks and security practices.”
The design of the front cover of the book was conceived of by Fadi Deek and inspired by symbolic elements found in Roman temple design, which he says can be interpreted as broadcasting coded messages deliberately, especially during key moments of the year, and “link the earthly realm to the cosmic order.” He sees such linkages of semiotic meaning as a driving force for the book.
“It’s the concept of conveying coded information through design and its associated changes, much like the change of seasons,” Deek said.
The larger force that drove the authors was a commitment to finish what would be McHugh’s last book, which he approached with great excitement as coda to his legacy at NJIT.
“From Code to Cloud: Developing Web Applications” is available at Amazon and directly through the publisher, Taylor & Francis Group.
A second book by Fadi Deek, published earlier this summer, “Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story,” profiling his journey from native Lebanon to building a life of purpose and impact in the United States, is also available at Amazon.
