DCOM Explained describes what services DCOM provides, both development and runtime. Thus the aim of the book is not to teach how to program using DCOM, but to explain what DCOM does so readers will become better able to use it more effectively, understand the options available when using DCOM, and understand the types of applications that can be built by using DCOM. This book describes: what each of the services mean, including load balancing, security, guaranteed delivery, deferred delivery, broadcasting and multi-casting, and session handling what the service aims to do, such as saving time and effort or providing a secure, resilient, reliable, high performance network how the service could be provided, and what other solutions exist for achieving the same end how Microsoft has tackled the problem Provides a complete, easy to understand, and compact picture of all the services of DCOM Written from a designer or manager's point of view Compares DCOM with other middleware

DCOM -- the Distributed Component Object Model -- is a recent upgrade of a time-honored and well-tested technology promoted by Microsoft for distributed object programming. Now that components are playing a larger and larger part in Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000, every Windows programmer will want to understand the technology. DCOM competes with CORBA as a rich and robust method for creating expandable and flexible components, allowing you to plug in new parts conveniently and upgrade without the need for code changes to every program that uses your component.This book introduces C++ programmers to DCOM and gives them the basic tools they need to write secure, maintainable programs. While using Visual C++ development tools and wizards where appropriate, the author never leaves the results up to magic. The C++ code used to create distributed components and the communications exchanged between systems and objects are described at a level where the reader understands their significance and can use the insights for such tasks as debugging and improving performance.The first few chapters explain both the remote procedure calls that underlie DCOM's communication and the way DCOM uses C++ classes. Readers become firmly grounded in the relation between components, classes, and objects, the ways objects are created and destroyed, how clients find servers, and the basics of security and threading.After giving you a grounding in how DCOM works, this book introduces you to the Microsoft tools that make it all easy. By showing what really happens each time you choose a button in a wizard, Learning DCOM makes it possible for you to choose what you need.This book is for anyone who wants to understand DCOM. While thoroughly practical in its goals, it doesn't stint on the background you need to make your programs safe, efficient, and easy to maintain.Topics include: MIDL (Microsoft Interface Definition Language, the language for defining COM interfaces) COM error and exception handling Custom, dispatch, and dual interfaces Standard and custom factories Management of in-process versus out-of-process servers Distributed memory management Pragmatic explanation of the DCOM wire protocol Standard, custom, handler, and automation marshaling Multithreading and apartments Security at the system configuration and programming level Active Template Library (ATL), ATL wizards -- and what they don't do Writing a component that can be invoked from Visual Basic Techniques for using distributed components Creating an ActiveX control and embedding it in a Web client Authentication and the use of Windows NT security features Techniques for merging marshaling code Connection and distributed events management An introduction to COM+ features

This book will introduce the reader to SOAP and serve as a comprehensive reference to both experienced and new developers in the area. Only one other book completely dedicated to SOAP is currently on the market, and it has strong sales because no other information is available. SE Using SOAP will capture more readers than the competition because it provides real-world examples and troubleshooting with complete data conversion information. The emphasis will be on getting started fast instead of reading through white paper-style theory in hopes of finding applicable information. By reading this book and working through the examples, the reader will be well versed in SOAP and its applications immediately. SE Using SOAP includes difficult to find information on how SOAP works with different languages and protocols including Visual Basic.NET, Visual Basic 6, C#, XML, HTTP, SDL, DISCO, COM, SQL Server, plus much more. Also covers how to work with PDAs, an ever-growing need in the data transfer market.

For the hard-core corporate developer who needs "just the facts" and real-world examples to building distributed applications using Microsoft's Component Object Model. Loaded with carefully documented real-world C++ code that readers can put to work immediately. Complete with a Quick Reference to COM/DCOM interfaces, including keywords for all methods, properties, and other programming details, as well as a Glossary. Illus.

Key features include integrated learning about all four aspects of COM (COM, Automation, ActiveX, and DCOM), an emphasized component creation and use of techniques independent of any single programming language. The CD-ROM includes source code for all projects presented in the book in all four development environments covered.

This book is for Win32 programmers taking up the challenge of building distributed applications using the new component object model. Although there is strong emphasis on the practicalities of distributed object design and usage, the text is also a complete examination of programming under COM. Readers should be very familiar with C++ and preferably have experience of using MFC. The code is described and developed using Visual C++5, MFC, and ATL.

"Inside Distributed COM" is for the developer wanting to leverage this power in their systems through a range of different development environments, such as C++, Visual Basic, and Java. The book-and-CD set gives a concise and practical understanding of DCOM, including samples shown in a variety of languages.