7 COM, DCOM and ATL Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

The methods Thuan L. Thai developed while writing this book focus on demystifying DCOM for C++ programmers seeking to master distributed object programming. You gain a solid grasp of remote procedure calls, COM interfaces, and the nuances of writing secure, maintainable components, with detailed explanations of how wizards translate to actual code. Chapters on threading, security, and the DCOM wire protocol give you the technical foundation to debug and optimize your applications effectively. If your work involves Windows component development or you want to understand how DCOM integrates with ATL and Visual Basic, this book offers the precise insights you need.

What happens when deep MFC expertise meets the challenging world of COM? Julian Templeman, a seasoned developer and respected educator, tackles the tough learning curve programmers face when adopting COM for Windows development. With a focus on hands-on learning, the book guides you through building a full application that covers OLE servers and components, making abstract concepts tangible. Chapters detail practical integration of COM within the MFC environment, illuminating real coding challenges and solutions. If you're an MFC programmer needing to grasp COM's complexities without wading through dense theory, this book lays out what you need in a straightforward manner.

This tailored book explores the intricacies of distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) technology, providing a deep dive into mastering its complexities. It covers core concepts like component communication, interface design, and distributed system architecture while focusing on your specific interests and background. With a personalized approach, this guide reveals how to effectively develop, debug, and optimize DCOM components, bridging the gap between foundational knowledge and advanced application. The content matches your goals by emphasizing practical aspects such as security, threading models, and integration techniques that align with your expertise level. By tailoring the material to your unique needs, it enables a focused and efficient learning experience, helping you confidently navigate distributed components and enhance your software development skills with precision and clarity.

Dale Rogerson's decades of software development and architecture experience led to this focused exploration of Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM). The book dissects COM as a binary standard enabling diverse software components to interact seamlessly across processes and languages, rather than as a traditional object-oriented language or application framework. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how COM forms the foundation for technologies like OLE and ActiveX, including insights into interface design and component interoperability. This work suits developers and architects who need to grasp the core principles behind COM’s flexibility and binary-level communication rather than high-level programming patterns.

Dale Rogerson's background in software development informs this detailed exploration of Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM). You gain a grounded understanding of COM architecture, including interface design, reference counting, and threading models, through clear explanations and code examples. The book breaks down complex concepts like COM+ services and Active Template Library (ATL) usage, helping you master component-based software design. If you're a developer or engineer working with Windows applications or legacy systems, this book offers practical insights to deepen your technical expertise and navigate COM's intricacies with confidence.

Unlike most COM development books that stick to theory, Daniel Appleman's guide dives deep into the nuts and bolts of creating ActiveX components with Visual Basic 6, drawing from his extensive background in software engineering. You’ll learn not just the programming concepts but also practical techniques to avoid common pitfalls, such as debugging component registration issues and managing interface implementation effectively. Chapters like the one on handling event sinks reveal real challenges you’ll face and how to solve them, making this a hands-on manual for developers ready to build robust COM components. If you want a thorough, experience-backed resource that goes beyond the basics, this book fits the bill, though it's best suited for programmers with some VB6 familiarity.

This tailored book explores the essential concepts and practical skills required to master COM programming efficiently. It covers foundational topics such as interface design, reference counting, and threading models, gradually advancing to complex areas like distributed components and ATL integration. The content is carefully tailored to match your background and specific goals, enabling you to focus on the aspects most relevant to your development journey. By synthesizing the collective knowledge on COM, this book provides a personalized pathway that bridges expert insights with your unique learning needs. It reveals how to navigate COM's intricacies with confidence, building your expertise step-by-step over 90 days.

When Thuan L. Thai wrote Learning DCOM, he aimed to demystify the complexities of Microsoft's Distributed Component Object Model for C++ programmers eager to build secure, maintainable distributed applications. You get a solid grasp of the underlying remote procedure calls, class relationships, and threading models that DCOM employs, plus a detailed look at Microsoft tools and wizards—explained clearly so you understand what's happening behind the scenes. Chapters on MIDL, security, marshaling, and COM+ features equip you with both foundational knowledge and practical insight, making this a worthwhile read if you want to effectively develop or troubleshoot DCOM components in Windows environments.

Frank E. Redmond III brings a focused expertise to this detailed exploration of Microsoft's Distributed Component Object Model, aimed at software developers delving into distributed applications. You’ll gain not just an understanding of DCOM’s architecture but also practical insights from clear explanations and working examples, including extensive appendixes that clarify implementation nuances. The book walks you through the benefits and challenges of building distributed systems with COM technology, making it particularly useful if you’re managing complex enterprise applications requiring robust component communication. While it assumes a level of prior knowledge, the structured approach helps sharpen your skills in leveraging DCOM effectively.