COM and .NET Component Services (O'Reilly Windows)

This book discusses COM+ component services. Each service is covered in its own chapter, and each chapter discusses a similar range of issues: the problem the service addresses, possible solut ions to that problem, an in-depth description of the COM+ solut ion, tradeoffs, design, and implementat ion guidelines, tips, and known pit falls. I have t ried to provide useful design informat ion and lessons I learned while applying COM+. I also descr ibe COM+ helper classes and ut ilit ies I developed that will enhance your productivity significantly. (The COM+ Events helper objects and the COM+ Logbook are prime examples.) This book focuses on the «how to»— that is, it provides practical information. You should read the chapters in order , since most chapters rely on information discussed in the preceding chapters. The book also aims to explain COM+ step by step. A software engineer already familiar with COM who wants to know what COM+ is and how to use it can read this book and star t developing COM+ applications immediately.

With COM and .NET Component Services, skilled COM developers can leverage their knowledge for the next generation of components to be built for Microsoft's new .NET framework.

A primary goal of Microsoft's COM+ is to provide proven design solutions for scalable systems. Assuming experience with classic COM, COM and .NET Component Services focuses on the added services of COM+, including support for transactions, queued components, events, concurrency management, and security. Along the way, it ably demonstrates that COM+ is a masterpiece of design and usability from the ground up—truly a mature set of component services oriented for the middle tier.

COM+ provides a foundation for robust, enterprise-wide, mission-critical distributed applications. And it's not limited to Internet applications. You can use COM+ services in the same places as classic COM components: in-house two-tier information systems, client-tier controls, desktop applications, machine control components, and every other conceivable application of COM.

COM and .NET Component Services is the first book to stress the importance of learning to use COM+ services for both .NET and COM component-based applications. Since most companies have considerable investment in existing code base and development skills, COM+ can serve as a migration path for companies and developers. Companies can start (or continue) their projects in COM, using COM+ as a supporting platform for component services, and then when the time comes to move to .NET, they can start plugging .NET components seamlessly into the same architecture, reusing and interacting with their existing COM components.

This text offers both traditional COM programmers and new .NET component developers information on developing applications that take advantage of COM+ services. It focuses on COM+ services, including support for transactions, queued components, events, concurrency management, and security.