Distributed

Book reviews for "Distributed" sorted by average review score:

Designing Component-Based Applications

Published in Paperback by Microsoft Press (December, 1998)

Author: Mary Kirtland

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This book provides a worthwhile tour of Microsoft technologies based on DCOM and Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) with plenty of advice for today's enterprise developer.

The book begins with Microsoft's Distributed Internet Architecture (DNA) and DNA's notion of a three-tier model for separating business objects for better scalability. Of course, COM is an important part of DNA, and the author's introduction to COM is as good as any. Coverage of database acronyms such as ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), ADO (ActiveX Data Objects), and OLE-DB (Object Linking and Embedding Database) round out the basics. Then the author proceeds to explain the capabilities of MTS, from using it as an object request broker (ORB) for locating remote services, to the fundamentals of transaction processing.

At this point, theory becomes practice, and the author walks the reader through a complete sample MTS-based application, an automated accounting package for the "Classifieds" section of a small newspaper. The author shows how to use Microsoft Visual Database Tools and provides a taste of Microsoft's software methodology called Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF). After you learn how to model objects for the database and business object layers, the book helps you build them using Visual Basic and Visual C++. Finally, you learn the presentation layer, which is built using Active Server Pages (ASPs) for running inside a browser.

Final chapters offer material on additional Microsoft tools, such as the COM-to-mainframe tool (called COMTI) and Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ). There's also a preview of COM+--still under construction and due out with Windows 2000. In all, Designing Component-Based Applications successfully covers the state of the art in component development for the enterprise using the complete range of available Microsoft tools and technologies. --Richard Dragan

Average review score:

Best overview of DNA

This is an excellent overview of Microsoft's DNA and the technologies that make up DNA. The pieces of the DNA puzzle are clearly defined individually and the way they relate to the others. The Island Hopper application sample (maintained up-to-date on MSDN) is a great hands-on intro to the topic. The amount of coverage on topics like COM, MTS, MSMQ, etc. is just right: technically deep enough to help you understand the concepts, short enough to prevent you from shifting your focus from the architecture to technologies contributing to the architecture.

You may try to surf Microsoft's DNA pages to understand the topic (and potentially get lost in the amount of links that span hundreds of different Microsoft technologies) or get this "one" book to really understand what Mr. Gates is talking about for the last couple of years.

Excellent Coverage of COM and MTS

This book gives excellent end-to-end coverage of developing a 3-tiered system in COM and MTS and is a must read for developers involved in the process. I was happy to see C++ given some attention, but would have liked more coverage of Visual J++ as a development tool for COM. This book covers many practical design, testing and performance tuning topics which other books ignore.

Ready For A COM+ Version

Mary Kirtland has written a terrific resource for those who wish to know more (i.e. go from basic to advanced) on how to program with COM and MTS. I found the example code (and companion CD-ROM) very useful and relatively bug free. Some of the chapters include:

Windows DNA (now .NET)

COM (101)

Data Access Fundamentals

MTS

ASP

Extending MTS

Application Definition and Modeling

Building Data/Business Objects

Packaging

Building the Presentation Layer

Debugging and Troubleshooting (an excellent chapter on a tricky subject)

Performance Validation

Deploying

Extending the Application

COM+ (pretty good for when this was written, it is time to update the book with the latest and greatest, however).

Most of the information here is still relevant, especially to those with a smattering of COM or MTS under their belt and are hungry for more. Everything is wrapped up well with a comprehensive index. Well worth the purchase price. Definitely a must along with "Programming Distributed Apps with MS COM+ and MS VB."

ADO : ActiveX Data Objects

Published in Paperback by O'Reilly & Associates (June, 2001)

Author: Jason T. Roff

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For VB Developers ONLY!

Do not get this book if you program in anything other than VB (not even vbscript). The name of the book should have been ADO for Visual Basic...except that title was already taken. What really gets on my nerves is that the sample chapter released on O'Reilly's web site is the chapter where they give code examples for all of the different languages. The rest of the book is nothing like that chapter!
If you are a VB programmer though, I'm sure you will love this book.

A must have book on ADO (Covers ADO 2.6)

This is an awesome book for a programmer who wants to learn ADO. The most I like about this book is that it shows you exactly what you need to know. I have other ADO books in my collection but Mr. Roff's explanation of ADO's functionality plus his insight and suggestions on how to code with ADO make this book my number one ADO resource. This book has a complete listing of every ADO object, method, property and event. This is the kind of reference you need the most when developing a new ADO application. Aug-7th-2001

A perfect book for ADO

this is a very good book, comparing to MSDN ADO note on the web, which covers only access to .mdb database, this book covers a variety of methods and databases. Thank for the great contribution.

Successful SAP R/3 Implementation: Practical Management of ERP Projects

Published in Hardcover by Addison-Wesley Pub Co (25 February, 1999)

Author: Norbert Welti

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In need of an update

I've been collecting implementation/admin books over the last few months in prep for a large CRM and BW install at a client site. This one is fine from a generic perspective, but needs to be updated if the author expects people to still buy it. I'll stick with Jose Hernandez's admin book, George Anderson's implementation book, and Naeem Hashmi's BW book - the best out there.

Required reading for Project Managers

The stated subject of the book is implementing EPR packages with SAP R/3 software. It deals with the subject matter in great detail and in a very practical manner. The treatment of problems encountered and the "Lessons Learned" section of each chapter are particularly well done. Mr. Welti relates these only to the particular project in question. They are, however, applicable to almost any project that involves a change in the company system. For this reason the book is a valuable reference to any project manager. The book is, in my opinion, required reading for every project manager.

Numerous tips to avoid failures in ERP projects

This book gives you a lot of good advises and practical details that make it a very good tool and support for the implemention of SAP R/3 in your company. All the tips given by N. Welti are very informative and usefull for project management in general. Thank you very much for this book !

Understanding Microsoft Windows 2000 Distributed Services

Published in Paperback by Microsoft Press (12 April, 2000)

Authors: David Chappell and Don Box

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The Microsoft Windows architecture has changed a lot recently. Understanding Microsoft Windows 2000 Distributed Services explains the big picture in its latest Windows DNA and Windows 2000 incarnations. This isn't strictly a programmer's text (it doesn't give recipes for building distributed applications), but neither is it just an administrator's guide (instructions for configuring Active Directory appear in other books). Instead, it's a thorough and carefully written explanation of how Windows 2000 and its applications run in a distributed environment, and how Windows supports distributed software and data in a secure way.

The didactic style of the book is exemplary, and it succeeds in unraveling complicated, extensively interlocked technologies for readers. It gives the experience of watching a good presentation: author Chappell explains concepts in text, which he then backs up with excellent conceptual diagrams. Typically, he's good about referring to other technologies; explaining, for instance, Active Directory in terms of its similarities and differences to Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). Although there's no code in these pages, those readers who are programmers will be glad to find discussion on APIs and services. Altogether, this is a fine account of the latest Windows technologies. --David Wall

Topics covered: Windows 2000 and the Windows DNA distributed computing technologies, including Active Directory, the Component Object Model (COM), COM+, ActiveX Data Objects (ADOs), Distributed Transaction Services (DTS), and Microsoft Message Queuing Services (MSMQ). Also, there's in-depth discussion of how they all fit together.

Average review score:

Delivers on its title

This book does exactly what its title says...it provides an overview of all components in Windows 2000 that you would interact with when writing or using distributed services.

I highly recommend this book for its two chapters on security in Windows 2000. It gives a terrific explanation of both private and public key security (something I've been looking for) and talks about how these are implemented in Windows 2000. These two chapters are a treasure for anyone who has to deal with security issues on a project involving W2K.

It also gives a good overview of what Active Directory is as well as COM/DCOM, COM+ and MSMQ. These topics are informative and top level...if you're interested in code and implementation details, there are books dedicated to each of these topics. I think this book serves as a good top-level reference for writing distributed apps with W2K. It helps you get a view of the forest before becoming entrenched in the trees. David Chappell has a way of explaining complicated topics in an easy to read manner while not hiding the important details.

An excellent overview

Like Mr. Chappell's previous book (Understanding ActiveX and OLE, 1996) this newer one is an excellent overview of cornerstone Windows technologies.

This book tells you what MS has in stock for those who needs to build a distributed application(s) or environment. It's not very technical, there is no source code at all, but we are talking about thinking readers, aren't we ? For somebody who needs to _understand_, this is a book of choice. You can't expect a book to include a working code of a bank teller's workplace, can you ? Once you read this book - you are the guy with the tools to do it.

Surprisingly enough this book does not praise MS at all. There is a couple of scary lines like "MS does support standards but it also chooses to improve them", but still it gives a fair view of what MS offers. It does not give you that "look ! we've invented another acronym for the same 20 years old techology !" feeling. Very fair book.

The book is very easy to read and is well laid out. Ten chapters are of only slight dependency to each other. Covers Active Directory, distributed security, COM+, MSMQ, web-based thingies.

Highly recommended.

I really like this book and the authors writing style.

I'm not a computer programmer, and I was not using this book to learn how to code applications. With that out of the way, I do like this book for several reasons. I like the material coverage. It explains Microsoft distributed technologies in a way that a Information Manager can understand. One way that the author does this is by leaving out program code. The code is left out so as to not distract or confuse the overall concepts. I thought the material was sufficiently deep enough to get you to a level that is more than just an overview of these technologies. It is for these reasons that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will definitely look into more titles from this author.

Professional Visual Basic 6 Distributed Objects

Published in Paperback by Wrox Press Inc (10 June, 1999)

Author: Rocky Lhotka

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Professional Visual Basic 6 Distributed Objects is an intelligent guide to component design for anyone who builds Visual Basic (VB) components. This is an authoritative guide to creating state-of-the-art scalable distributed components with Visual Basic 6, and it takes full advantage of the Microsoft Distributed interNet Architecture (DNA) platform.

The heart of this text is the author's design philosophy for building distributed components with VB, which he calls his Component-based Scalable Logical Architecture (CSLA). The author shows how to design objects that take full advantage of some of the latest Microsoft features and tools. (The examples in this book use objects for a project manager application, which are enhanced chapter by chapter.)

By following the prescription outlined here, VB developers can create scalable objects that support transactions (with MTS), data binding (with OLE DB and ADO), and even message-based event delivery across multiple servers on the enterprise (with MSMQ). The author also shows how the same objects can be used with ASPs on the Web. Clearly, the CSLA has a lot of potential for building objects that scale well and meet the needs of today's enterprise.

Professional Visual Basic 6 Distributed Objects is written in a no-nonsense style, with short paragraphs and practical examples used throughout. The author's experience with design for VB enterprise-level lets him show that today's Visual Basic is ready to take on the enterprise on the Microsoft platform. For enterprise development, both on and off the Web, this guide makes a strong pitch for a spot on the bookshelf of anyone serious about VB development. --Richard Dragan

Average review score:

Excellent book that precurses terrible applications.

Okay, so this is an excellent book. I am a distributed applications expert and I am very familiar with several distributed architectures. I even had the opportunity to sit down in a private meeting with the author to learn and discuss his ideas. The first thing I would like to say is that Rocky's CSLA architecture is by far one of the most rock solid systems I have seen today...

BUT...

People are implementing this in horrible horrible ways. I now pretty much have a career of going around to various companies and correcting the awful implementations of the CSLA arhcitecture. The problem? Programmers are implementing distributed architectures in applications that don't need them. Often, total beginners are using this advanced architecture to build tiny little webpage apps that would work fine with traditional approaches.

If you are an experienced programmer, needing guidance on the development of a MASSIVELY scalable application with thousands of users, then this is the book for you. If you are beginner or intermediate programmer wanting to implement this architecture in some little project just for the sake of saying you made a distributed application, keep doing it!!! I need the money!

5 Star performance

A clear and concise method of deploying rock solid VB6 business objects. An excellent follow up to his VB6 Business Objects book. Rocky has done an excellent job explaining and demonstrating how to design and develop distributed VB objects. I have applied the author's methods on a number of applications. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent book, I would highly recommend it!

I had read most the the original VB6 Business Objects book and liked the content but didn't like the way object state was handled. This book takes the original concept and builds on it to a point that you can make some very nice reusable, scalable objects.

This is a must for any serious VB object developer.

Microsoft Sql Server 7.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant

Published in Paperback by Microsoft Press (October, 1999)

Author: William R. Stanek

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The trouble with database management systems (DBMSs) is that there are so many of them. If you work as a roving consultant, you have to understand how several distinct DBMSs work. Even if you work for a typical large organization with autonomous units, you'll have to understand how various servers do their jobs. Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant exists to help you on those days when, coming from an Oracle or Sybase job, you have to remember how to do a particular administrative task in Microsoft SQL Server 7. The book explains the key facts and procedures for setting up and modifying databases, configuring users and groups, setting up replication schemes, importing data, and doing the rest of a SQL Server administrator's job.

There are lots of procedures to follow in these pages, but the most valuable stuff here may prove to be the tables that list options and commands. A typical table in the section on user permissions lists the effects of the eight permissions (CREATE TABLE, CREATE VIEW, and so on) that an administrator can bestow upon a user. You'll also find the command-line examples handy--you can quickly locate a command line that imports data with bcp and use it on your machine. Concise, utilitarian Transact-SQL listings serve a similar purpose. --David Wall

Topics covered: The specifications and procedures an administrator needs on hand to effectively operate SQL Server 7. The operation of SQL Server itself (including configuration of groups and security options) and the maintenance of data (which includes backups, restorations, and replication).

Average review score:

Outstanding! You won't find a better SQL Server admin book.

I've bought several sQL server books in the past. This is the ONLY sql book that I actually use. Its a great guide and reference and it has answered every SQL Server question I've ever had (so far). I highly recommend this book.

I don't think you'll find a better book to get you through the day to day admin tasks. The book also covers lots of advanced subjects and it does so extremely well.

A Great Field Reference!

First, this is not a "teach yourself book" it is a reference, geared toward field engineers. With that said, this is a fabulous carry everywhere reference (small; roughly 8"x5"x1" in size) that has just about everything you need to know (from a DBA perspective, that is) for maintaining/installing/etc. SQL Server 7.0. The book is broken into four sections:

I. Administration Fundamentals - Configuring and Tuning

II. Administration - Managing Enterprise, Core DBA, Security

III.Data Administration - Backup/Recovery, Import/Export, Distributed Data/Remote Servers, Replication

IV. Performance, Optimization, and Maintenance - Monitoring/Profiling, Creating Tables/Indexes, DB Automation/Maintenance

Having worked with SQL Server for several years now, I have always dreamed of having a book that summarized (with examples) all aspects of installation and maintenance (and wasn't a 4" thick luggable). Stanek has done it. The contents are well laid out with a very thorough index. Examples are well laid out (step-by-step) to get you through what-ever issue you are working with. The book contains stored procedure calls, but is not a Transact-SQL manual (actually it would be nice if the author would come out with a T-SQL Admin Pocket Guide also!).

I consider this a must-have for every SQL Server DBA's library. It will not gather dust, but instead become VERY dog-eared.

Very helpful

This is a very helpful book. Concisely put together, I find it's my only reference I use to learn how to use our SQL server installation. The book gets me started in the right direction, then I'm able to figure things out on my own.

Windows Nt Server 4: Professional Reference

Published in Hardcover by New Riders (September, 1997)

Author: Karanjit S., Ph.D. Siyan

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MCSE / CNA / Software Support Engineer

I have read a great deal of books on NT, and this is my favorite. It has detailed coverage of NT that I reference frequently when dealing with difficult scenarios. The author is, in my mind, one of the best you will find when reading about Networking in general. If you want a book that goes deep under the hood - own this one.

Outstanding Reference!!

As an MCSE for over two years, I have read countless other texts on NT Server with much disappointment. After flipping through this book the first few minutes after receiving it, I knew this was the one I had been looking for. It covers pretty much everything I cared to know about and is probably the last book I'll buy on NT Server 4. Thank you Dr. Siyan!!!

This is the book to have for supporting NT 4.0

Excellent! This is the book to have for supporting NT 4.0. This is the book to have for supporting NT 4.0. I never really understood permissions in NT until reading this book.

Jose Medeiros, Instructor - San Jose City College, MCP+I, MCSE, MCT, Vice President- NT Engineering Association

Essential Client/Server Survival Guide

Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons (June, 1994)

Authors: Robert Orfali, Dan Harkey, and Jeri Edwards

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A nostalgic look at life before intranets

I recently picked this book up second-hand and found it to be a quite enjoyable read. I only wish it was current, for the modern marketplace needs more books like it.

Rather than focus on a particular vendor's products or certification exam, the authors explain the big picture of client/server networking in an acronym-rich format that only a "big iron" programmer could love. Exhaustive coverage of database systems, groupware, and transaction processing are also presented, elaborated on by silly cartoons reminiscent of Greg Perry's early work.

Alas, times have changed. "Cairo" is obsolete now, and OS/2 did not provide the panacea to every client/server ill. I would strongly suggest that any reader of this review obtain a copy of the much newer third edition (ISBN: 0471316156). I certainly will.

Good book for introduction to Client/Server

The book is a good source of information for people who have been hearing all the buzz words of Client/Server technology but didn't really know what these words meant. The reader will get enough knowledge of these technologies to at least do BS when talking about Client/Server with his boss. Client/Server technology covers a lot of aspects, but the authors have very methodically covered almost all these aspects. I would recommend this book to people making an entrance to the world of Client/Server. One thing a didn't like: the book is full of cartoon characters who aren't really helping you get any concepts. Also these cartoons have been given too much space in terms of space/page.

Best written & organized computer I've read yet!

The is the first time I've taken the time to write a review - and for a technology book 2 years out of date! I love the style and organization. This is a lot of very relevent information packed into 600 pages that will give anyone new to client/server architectures a great understanding of the market(s). Take a look at the table of Contents to see what I mean. And trust me, it's not ..For Dummies drivel. The author's "soapboxes" (mostly predictions) are great reading for where they were right on (most of the time) and just close (e.g. CORBA). I can't wait for a new edition to address XML in all of it's flavors.

Official PowerBuilder® 6 Fundamentals, Second Edition

Published in Paperback by The Coriolis Group (24 February, 1998)

Authors: Steve Erlank and Craig Levin

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This book was a waste of money.

This book was full of gaps in the tutorials. I would be on a complete roll and then be stuck with the worthless index. This book is only good if you have someonewho knows PowerBuilder near buy.

Must have for beginners

Of all the books for PowerBuilder I have used this is the greatest! I learned PowerBuilder in depth in less than a week with this book. While I have an extensive programming background, it would not be necessary to make use of this book. Well written and documented. If you are using PB 6.5 there are some minor differences between what is in the book and how your PB will work. The book was written with a prerelease version of PB 6. Hats off to the authors, this is one of the best books I have bought in a long time!

I thgought it was great !!!

I'm a VB, ASP and Coldfusion programmer. I've read the "Using Powerbuilder 6" and the "Powerbuilder Unleashed" series. The "Powerbuilder Unleashed" is a good reference for the intermediate and the "Using Powerbuilder 6" is worthless!! After purchasing this book I was up and coding, creating a multi-form application in a week. If you're a beginner and want a solid foundation this is the book.

SAP(R) R/3 Implementation Guide

Published in Paperback by Macmillan Technical Publishing (May, 1998)

Authors: Bradley D. Hiquet, Kelley-Levey, Associates, Anthony F. Kelly, Kelly-Levey, and Kelly-Levey & Associates

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Author and consultant Bradley D. Hiquet puts a new and much-needed shine on the old technology-reference-book model in SAP R/3 Implementation Guide: A Manager's Guide to Understanding SAP. Instead of forcing readers down the tedious but often necessary path of configuration commands, Hiquet chronicles the fictional journey of ElectroTech, a manufacturer of industrial electrical components and factory automation products, through its SAP R/3 implementation and rollout. Except for the book's first section, which deftly handles the requisite company, target market, and application overview, the rest is dedicated to this gigantic composite case study.

Assisted by real-life consultants at Conley, Canitano, and Associates, Inc., Hiquet has constructed the book to first address the myriad tribulations of ElectroTech's various departments, followed by an explanation of how implementing the cross-departmental SAP R/3 application can theoretically solve the problems. This approach is extremely effective. First, it provides specific examples of how antiquated and disjointed computing systems can adversely affect productivity and profitability. And second, it puts a human face on the issues. The book wraps up with a brief but informative chapter that outlines pragmatic, time-tested methods to help companies prepare for and successfully complete a SAP R/3 implementation. Sarah L. Roberts-Witt

Average review score:

Ecxcellent Overview on how SAP Integrates Business Systems

It is tough to find good books on SAP. Quantity seems to dominate rather than quality since every one wants to jump on the gravy train. This book is a definite exception in the pot-pourri of inferior writing currently on the book shelves. The authors take the reader lucidly thru various aspects of implementing different SAP modules and stress the benefits accrued in implementing SAP. This book will not give you a comprehensive treatment of any one module of SAP; it rather helps you in understanding SAP by explaining how it can improve business operations and why it is a better return on information. I recommend this book to get a good understanding of SAP but dont waste your dollars if you want speciality treatment of a particular track.

Simple enough for the basics of SAP

This book is excellent as an introductory guide that covers most of the modules with graphic illustration. It is useful if you are a new user to SAP or an experience consultant to prepare your training materials. Since the books covers version 3.x, I am expecting a new edition for version 4.x. As usual, this book is weak in IMG (Implementation Guide).

Excellent final user manual

In few words: If you are not a SAP consultant (and you are not expected to be so) and you need to take up working on SAP as a final user next monday: read this book. On monday, this easy to read book, will allow you to show off as an experienced SAP user. The explantions "on the screen" showed by the book let you directly to the outcome you are looking for: to easily perform usual tasks in order entering, price updating, production planning, and so on.

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