Visual Basic 6 Mts Programming (Vb Com Series)

The text shows you the actual screen shots for setting VB component options, for security under MTS and Windows NT, and for MTS deployment (and packages). Of course, the author does a good job with the theory behind DCOM and transactions, including design principles for successful objects. But the coverage of real-world tools for deploying and administering (even debugging) objects on the Windows platform are a real standout here.

For its examples, this book relies on objects that store user IDs, passwords for Web sites, and later an excellent case study on a sales order database application. Included here is good coverage of back-end database issues (centering on SQL Server 7) and ASP-based Web development.

Not only is this book arguably the best source for getting the inner details on today's MTS, but its coverage of COM+ (available on Windows 2000) also provides a valuable preview of the future evolution of MTS. The practical focus of this book will make it a good choice for anyone who appreciates a more hands-on approach. In all, Visual Basic 6 MTS Programming provides an up-to-date guide to using VB to create objects that make good use of the Microsoft platform. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: MTS basics, MTS Explorer, distributed architectures, Microsoft Distributed Internet Architecture (DNA) and DCOM fundamentals, transaction basics, MTS component development, object persistence, packages, MTS and Windows NT security, debugging, performance and administration, SQL Server, MS DTC, ASP basics, and COM+.

Product Description
Presently, books do not meet the needs of the experienced Visual Basic Developer interested in implementing MTS. Many existing books have devoted small sections to MTS. These are often great resources for many developers. However, they do not provide the necessary depth required for more advanced programmers to implement a large-scale application. Typically, this group of developers has gone beyond the knowledge level that existing books have to offer. They may often turn to alternate sources of information such as the Visual Basic Programmers Journal, Microsoft Developers Network, and USENET groups. However, each of these provides the same types of repetitive code samples and snippets that address single and often obscure development topics.

Briefly, this book takes a beginner by explaining the basics of COM and leads the reader through the ins & outs of MTS. Many advanced topics are covered including an awsome section regarding debugging and administration. Don't get the wrong idea, I have been working with MTS for over 3 years, and as a seasoned MTS developer, I learned many new techniques. Simply this book is for both the beginner and the advanced programmer who wants to "really" learn the ins & outs of MTS.

Because this is a very comprehensive book, the best advice I can give you is for you to try it yourself!


Not Really Professional   April 11, 2001
bernardsia (Kuala Lumpur)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Somehow, this book, doesn't really warrant a Professional Tag to it, I was expecting a more exhaustive treatment of MTS particularly in improving performance. Which is very important when it comes to developing in ASP and VB COM. The author treated this area rather trivially, glancing through the topic with some minor tips that any God fearing vb programmer already knows.

Rename it as Beginning VB 6 MTS programming and it will really fit my expectations as the author pretty much touched the surfaces of MTS on a very broad basis.

The book will be really beneficial though for folks who's been programming in VB6 client and moving towards COM developement.

Do hope that wrox can come up with a very 'PROFESSIONAL' book on ASP, VBCOM and MTS to tackle topics like program design and performance.


The supreme book for VB6 with MTS   March 16, 2001
Dumitru Ozunu (Munich, Germany)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I bought this book couple of months ago, as i needed a solution with vb6, mts, sql server and com...difficult task, i said that to mkyself, only just the names conjunction frighten me. But i read this book, file by file, thinking a bit about what i just have read, i tried some small examples and when i finished the book, what i have to do was clear. the problem was 50% solved. i started developing and also reviewing some chapters. the book is well written, it takes you from the basics of mts, com, sql til complicated matters. there are many examples that can help u better understand it. so, when u need vb and mts, read this book! some improvements could be done, e.g. the chapters treating the transations done with ado objects and very important, the transactions between com objects. though these things, i gave it 5 stars.


Just what I needed   February 12, 2001
Hugh W. Cox Jr. (Cordova, TN USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The only regret I have is that I took a class and read another book before I picked up this book. This book covered everything I needed to know to get started writing MTS applications. And this is a first for a computer reference book, it was easy to read. Wrox's web site is very useful too. Full code examples for easy download and a message center for communicating with other programmers. In this case, this book was just what I needed.


Excellent Reference   January 22, 2001
Deema Shaath (Kuwait)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is an excellent Book. I have bought this book almost a year ago, and this book is one of the few books that I was encouraged to finish it from cover to cover. I did not only benefit from it getting to know Microsoft Transaction Server (since I never got the chance in real life to develop an application that uses it), but it teaches you how to think logically and usefully to utilize the latest technologies in the most efficient manner. It was my first real encounter with multier technology, and it was the book that encouraged me to change my application development from the ASP tier to the VB COM tier. Finally, the examples presented was very helpful