Professional Windows DNA: Building Distributed Web Applications with VB, COM+, MSMQ, SOAP, and ASP

Building distributed web applications is a wide-ranging topic, covering a variety of technologies and techniques. Windows DNA is the name given to the combination of traditional n-tier architecture with the intrinsic Windows 2000 services, including COM+, MSMQ, and Active Directory. Using this architecture, you can design and build scalable enterprise-level distributed applications on the Windows 2000 platform.

This book takes an in-depth look at the DNA architecture, focusing on fitting the pieces of the puzzle together. Each of the logical tiers is examined, with particular emphasis placed on the features COM+ contains to make component building simpler and more powerful.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for anyone involved with building distributed web applications that want to see the bigger picture. As such the book assumes a working knowledge of VB and ASP in places, but the emphasis is not so much on the code as on where each of the pieces fit into the puzzle. It's designed to give you an idea of how each area or technology affects you, enabling you to make informed decisions about whether to pursue a subject further, or confidently assert that you can do without it.

What Does This Book Cover?

DNA architectural overview

COM+ including Transactions, Events, and Queued Components
Variable client richness and building rich clients
MSMQ
Business Objects
SOAP
Universal Data Access
Directory Services
Scalability and Availability
Security and Debugging
Case Studies showing actual implementation

Chris Blexrud, MCSD, is a consultant for Born http://born.com, a Microsoft Solution Provider. Chris's main areas of expertise are in Microsoft technologies such as ASP, VB, MSMQ, COM/DCOM, MTS, and COM+. When Chris is not developing business solutions, he enjoys snowmobiling and hunting in northern Minnesota and spending time with family and friends. Chris can be reached at chris.blexrud@born.com.

Brad Sherrell is the manager of E-Business for the Life Division of Pacific Life Insurance Company. He is responsible for the development of Internet applications and specializes in applicaton architecture using Microsoft technologies.

Dino Esposito is a trainer and consultant based in Rome, Italy. He specializes in web and Windows development, and works for Infomedia Communications, writing and teaching seminars on Win32 programming, VB, and ASP.

Rockford Lhotka has over 10 years experience in software development. He worked in Pascal, FORTRAN and Basic on VAX/VMS computers for a number of years until Windows NT and Visual Basic 1.0 first became available. Rockford has worked on many projects in various roles, including software development and design, network administration, help desk management and project management.

Tim Huckaby is the Founder and President of InterKnowlogy. InterKnowlegy's core competency is with Internet commerce interchange, business Internet systems and multi-tiered application software design.

Matthew Borniker is an experienced professional VB developer currently working on large-scale commercial applications for clients.

Jason Hales, BSc is a freelance consultant based in Cambridgeshire, England. He has over 10 years commercial experience in software development focusing primarily on Microsoft development tools with a touch of Oracle. Prior to VB et all, he developed in PowerBuilder, C and Sybase on UNIX and is a great supporter of OO-based development. He is also President of The Digital Tier (digitaltier.com) a company formed in January 1995 to promote enterprise-wide scalable Windows and Internet development.

When he's not programming or writing articles, Jason can be found wind surfing (in the summer months only), studying New Scientist magazine or in the company of his family. His hobbies include weight lifting, cycling, listening to music and motor-sports. Jason can be contacted by e-mail at jason.hales@digitaltier.com or jason_hales@yahoo.com.

Stephen Mohr is a senior systems architect with Omicron Consulting. Over the last ten years, he has specialized in the PC computing platform, designing and developing systems using C++, Java, JavaScript, COM, and various internetworking standards and protocols. His latest efforts include the use of XML for application integration. Stephen holds BS and MS degrees in computer science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research interests include distributed object-based computing and the practical applications of artificial intelligence.