Learning DCOM

Description

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 introduce.  Read more... Abstract: 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 introduce Content: Table of Contents Preface Scope of This Book Some Assumptions About the Reader Accompanying Source Code FTP FTPMAIL Conventions Related Sources of Information Specifications and References The Classics Knowledge Base Articles Technical Articles Other Related Documentation Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Distributed Computing Dumb Terminals Client/Server Computing Distributed Computing Using?RPC Distributed Objects Distributed Components Chapter 2. Distributed COM Overview COM The Object-Oriented Model Encapsulation Inheritance Polymorphism The Client/Server Model. Distributed COMCOM Facilities and?Services Location Transparency Dynamic and Remote Object Activation Security Interfaces Lifetime Support and Dynamic Discovery Binary Interoperability Connection Management Concurrency Management Reuse Interface Repository Implementation Repository Static Invocation Dynamic Invocation Events Applying COM Chapter 3. Objects Interfaces IUnknown Microsoft Interface Definition Language MIDL basics Defining a custom interface using MIDL Examining the attributes of IUnknown Arrays and strings as interface method parameters. Custom types as interface method parametersAdding more custom interfaces Defining a type library Published interfaces must never change Return Values HRESULT Custom HRESULTs Data Types Base data types Automation compatible types Interface Marshalers: Proxy and Stub The Binary Layout Dispatch and Dual Interfaces An Interface Recap Objects Implementing Interfaces IUnknown Rules Identity rules Existence rules Implementing COM Objects COM object definition using the nested classes technique COM object definition using the multiple inheritance technique. Implementing IUnknown methodsImplementing other interface methods Class Factories Standard Factories Custom Factories Chapter 4. Components Servers Server Types Out-of-process servers In-process servers Initialization and Termination Out-of-process servers In-process servers Dynamic Activation Support Out-of-process servers In-process servers Component Lifetime Out-of-process servers In-process servers Implementation Registration Out-of-process servers In-process servers Registering interface marshalers Clients Initialization and Termination Creating an Object. CoCreateInstanceCoCreateInstanceEx CoGetClassObject Class monikers Initializing an Object Using an Object Deleting an Object In- and Out-of-Process Issues Object Orientation Encapsulation Polymorphism Reuse Containment Aggregation Using objects that support aggregation Developing objects that support aggregation Chapter 5. Infrastructure Memory Simple Data Types and Top-Level Pointers Secondary and Embedded Pointers COM API functions for distributed memory management Managing embedded pointers Character Pointers Automation Data Types Memory management for a BSTR.