The Windows shell is the user interface for Windows 9x and Windows NT 4.0, allowing execution of common tasks such as accessing the file system, launching programs and changing system-wide settings. However, it's net just about user interaction : the shell exposes programming hooks that you can use from your own applications. This book shows you how to work with and extend the functionality of the shell, from tinkering with the Shell API to writing COM objects that get loaded into the address space. Within these pages is a compendium of shell programming techniques. You'll learn how to push the Windows shell to perform complex actions, and customise it using C++ programs. There's coverage of the Shell API, the Windows Scripting Host, and shell and namespace extensions that use the shell's object model. Who is this book for ? This title is for programmers who are experienced in Windows development and familiar with using COM and ATL to create components in Visual C+ +. The book will show you how to use COM and the Shell API to integrate your app1ication with the shell. It is not about making cosmetic changes to the desktop.

A programmer's complete guide to Visual Basic .NET. Starting with a sample application and a high-level map, the book jumps right into showing how the parts of .NET fit with Visual Basic .NET. Topics include the common language runtime, Windows Forms, ASP.NET, Web Forms, Web Services, and ADO.NET.

Seely presents an authoritative guide to Windows shell programming for experienced Visual C++, C++, Visual Basic, and MFC developers. He shows how to connect the MFC and ATL frameworks to any part of the Windows API, graphical or not. The CD-ROM contains powerful Windows shell code libraries and wizards.

Explains how to automate tasks on Windows operating systems and local area networks with scripts. The author first describes the syntax and rules for writing shell scripts before introducing the Windows script host (WSH). Topics include variable manipulation, conditional logic, iterative processing,

Focuses on how to program using Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition as a foundation language. Written in a straight-forward style, using a games-based approach that makes learning fun and easy, this is the perfect introductory programming book.

One of the first books available on scripting the Windows NT shell, this title appeals to the many UNIX users migrating to Windows NT. It integrates hundreds of proven example scripts throughout the book and gives comprehensive reference of shell commands organized by functional group for ease of use.

"Solutions and examples for C++ programmers"--Cover.