CORBA For Dummies [Illustrated] [Paperback]

John Schettino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0764503081 | ISBN-13: 978-0764503085

Create powerful applications in a variety of different programming environments -- including Visual C++, C++Builder, Visual J++, and more -- with CORBA, an all-in-one solution to cross-platform, distributed client/server programming.

CORBA stands for Common Object Request Broker Architecture, central to the world of distributed heterogeneous object-oriented computing...and that's about as complicated and technical as CORBA For Dummies gets. CORBA makes it easier than ever to create software that runs as clients and servers and to run them on different machines connected by a network or the Internet. Here's a glimpse of the skills you can master with CORBA For Dummies:

• Working with ORBs (Object Request Brokers), the cornerstones of CORBA
• Creating a client and a server object, in both C++ and Java, that communicate via an ORB
• Developing Beans for CORBA
• Saving time by using CORBAservices
• Building a bridge between CORBA and DCOM applications
• Making the most of the new Visual development environment for all the latest CORBA and Java tools

This essential survival guide to CORBA (which covers Version 3 as well as earlier versions) also comes with a CD-ROM packed with valuable software and programming tools, including the JavaBeans Development Kit, JDK 1.1.6, and demo versions of several Web evaluation tools, plus all the code you find inside the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Sneak Preview of CORBA 3 Specifications Inside!

Your One-Stop Guide to Using CORBA for Powerful Client/Server Distributed Applications! Find out how to use CORBA for powerful client/server distributed applications in different programming environments — including Visual C++, C++Builder, Visual J++, and more. With expert advice from John Schettino and Liz O'Hara, you'll discover how to pull together objects running on different platforms and written in different languages to create new, cohesive distributed applications — using CORBA. Valuable Bonus CD Includes:

• JavaBeans Development Kit to create cool applets
• JDK 1.1.6: Everything you need to create Java applets and programs
• Orbix Web Professional Evaluation tools including: demos of Orbix, OrbixWeb, OrbixNames, and OrbixEvents
• Includes Microsoft's popular Web browser
• Plus all the code from the book

Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like — free — but they have no technical support. System Requirements: 486 or faster PC with Windows 95/98/NT 4.0; 8MB RAM (16MB RAM recommended); and a double-speed (2X) or faster CD-ROM drive

Inside, find helpful advice on how to:

• Work with ORBs — the heart of CORBA
• Create a client and a server object in both C++ and Java that communicate via an ORB
• Develop Beans for CORBA
• Save time by using CORBAservices
• Build a bridge between CORBA and DCOM applications
• Make the most of the new Visual development environment for all the latest CORBA and Java tools

About the Author

About the Authors: John Schettino is a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at GTE Laboratories, Inc., where he is actively involved in research in object-oriented systems, client/server software development, mobile computing, and scripting systems. Liz O'Hara is a writer and an independent IT consultant. She specializes in object-oriented software analysis, client/server software design, user interaction, and domain modeling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (October 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764503081
• ISBN-13: 978-0764503085
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,807,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Corba From Dummies. . . ., January 14, 2000

By 

Robert J Fisher - See all my reviews

This review is from: CORBA For Dummies (Paperback)

It was very hard to find one thing good about this book and the only thing good about this book is that it is a Dummies book. I have bought Dummies books in the past and have found them to be very helpful, but not this time! If I could have given this book a lower review than 1, I would have given it. I have spent many frustrated hours trying to figure out the code, that does not work. Every chapter is like an uphill battle, trying to get the code to work. Didn't anyone test the code before the book was published?

The authors take a lot of things for granted. They assume that you know a lot of C++, for instance, and expect you to be experienced at this and be able to do many of the examples from the book, and automatically know what to do. They also skip over important details and I almost feel like I have to read the Authors mind to figure out what they are up to. There are so many holes left in each explanation. I have never seen so many holes and empty spaces left in a book! The authors fail to take you step by step. This book is not for beginners and is more for people who have Corba experience. Why do they call it a dummies book?

I was having so much trouble that I thought that I would E-mail the author. The dummies books, that I have, give you the authors E-mail in case you have problems. Unlike other Dummies books the Authors had left their E-mail address out so that the reader could not contact them, I wonder why? I have contacted the publishers and they sent me John's discussion group which, needless to say, did not work! I got some kind of error message and could not leave a message for him. The allocated time registration to use Orbix is too short to finish the book and I have to continually renew it. Which is a real nuisance.

One good way to get turned off Corba in a hurry is attempting to read this book. Another good thing, I just remembered about the book is the cartoons. Dummies cartoons are always funny and they urged me to keep trying to figure out this book. At least I could get a laugh in between the times when I was thoroughly frustrated with this book.

If I could return this book, I would.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Keep on looking, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: CORBA For Dummies (Paperback)

I bought this book thinking that it would be a good place to learn CORBA. While I picked some things up because I didn't know anything at all, when I did learn the correct way of implementing CORBA, I realized how this book over-complicated many things. The biggest problem is the proscribed method of compiling the projects using Visual C++. Sheesh. It is a lot simpler that the process they use. The actual IDL examples are OK, but overall, there a better books out there that can be had.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Spare your time and nerves..., August 13, 1999

By 

Dan Seawolf - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CORBA For Dummies (Paperback)

This book is neither intuitive nor funny... The information is not presented in steps, many things are just cludged together. And the lame attempts at being funny get on your nerves after first couple of pages. I wish i would keep the receipt - i would definitely return this one...