Programming Applications for Netscape Servers with CDROM [Paperback]

Kaveh Bassiri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1998

Programming Applications for Netscape Servers fully explains Netscape Servers and provides examples of how to program applications for them. This book describes the inner workings of Netscape Servers 1.x through 3.5.1 (the latest version), including a review of server configuration options, file settings, and administration techniques. You will also find a review of API fundamentals, examples, walk-through tutorials for writing server applications, and a close examination of the most appropriate programming tools for extending Netscape Servers and creating leading-edge Internet and Intranet applications. This book offers: *in-depth coverage of NSAPI (the Netscape Server API) *the first comprehensive review of WAI (Web Application Interface)-the latest Netscape programming option *a complete review of Netscape Server configuration settings *comparisons of NSAPI, CORBA, WAI, CGI, and other server programming options *a CD-ROM with code samples, utilities, and documentation for CGI, NSAPI, CORBA, and WAI-plus NSAPI extensions for Perl and Python and CGI libraries for C, C++, and Perl In addition, this book surveys CORBA and first-generation Web programming interfaces--including CGI, Windows CGI, and Server-Side Includes--to ease the transition into advanced Netscape Server programming. Programming Applications for Netscape Servers quickly brings you up-to-speed on Netscape Servers, covering Netscape Enterprise, FastTrack, Commerce, and Communication server programming. 020141970XB04062001

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finally, a useful reference for NSAPI. I've been waiting for this for the past two years. It's an encyclopaedia of everything you wish that you'd been able to find out from the documentation, the newsgroups, the online documentation, and a direct connection to the angels. Short of having your own Stunt Programmer at your beck and call, this will get you on your way to tweaking Communcations, Commerce, FastTrack, or Enterprise to serve it your way." -- Richard Careaga, Former Netscape DevEdge Champion for Technical Server Newsgroup

"Kaveh has written the only thorough and complete instructional and reference manual for Netscape Server Development. You will not find this information or guidance anywhere else! Buy it if you're serious about developing for the Netscape Server!" -- David Nelson, NSAPI/WAI instructor, consultant, and author of Netscape's Server Programmer's Guide

"This book will provide those seeking to extend the Netscape server with one of the most comprehensive sources of information available. It covers the foundations of server operation, and the APIs available for changing that operation to suit a particular situation. Kaveh has a strong background in the Netscape Enterprise server and brings that experience to this book." -- Rob McCool, Stunt Programmer of Netscape Enterprise Server and NSAPI

From the Inside Flap

When I first began working as a consultant for Netscape, I had not planned on writing a book about the Netscape Server. At that time, the Netscape Server was only an enhanced version of the original NCSA HTTP Server written by Rob McCool. I was excited about the potential for developing Internet applications. Netscape was the first company to add an API to server programming options. The use of this API (NSAPI) opened a whole new realm of possibilities. I worked with Netscape to provide support, instruction, and examples for the Netscape Server. While working on NSAPI sample applications, I noticed the lack of essential information and resources. NSAPI was a new programming model, and its examples and documentation were sparse and rudimentary.

After my talk on NSAPI at the Netscape Developer Conference, I was asked to write a book on Netscape Server. I was hesitant. After all, I was busy developing and there was no time to write. Working as a Netscape server developer and training different Web administrators and programmers, however, I knew what other developers needed. What finally persuaded me to write such a book was the need.

So, I set out to write the book. I planned to write a book that discusses programming and technical issues not covered by other resources. I wanted to respond to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Netscape Server and how to extend it. I wanted the reader to gain not only a general review of server management and programming issues, but also an in-depth understanding of key programming options and different server configuration settings. My intended readers are experienced Webmasters who need to understand how the server works and how to customize its features, as well as developers who need to program for the Netscape Server.

In this book, server administrators will find information about the workings of the server, about how the server processes a request and the variety of server configuration settings. Programmers will find a review of different programming options for extending the server's processing of client requests. This book includes API reviews, examples, and walk-through tutorials for writing server applications. The programming options for Server 3.5.1 are so numerous that a single book cannot cover all the topics with meaningful study. This book focuses in on a review of CGI, NSAPI, CORBA, and WAI. CGI is the traditional server programming option and provides a good starting point. NSAPI is the least documented and most in need of a detailed discussion. CORBA opens the door for future methods of extending the server. WAI, itself a CORBA implementation, is the way of the future.

There still remains the problem of writing a book about a server that is updated so quickly. In this book, I try to address programming issues for anyone who runs a Netscape Server from Server 1.x to 3.5.1. Since many of you are using the latest version of the server or are planning to update to the latest version, I have focused on Enterprise Server 3.5.1. I kept in mind those who are still using earlier versions of the servers and made efforts to provide information about all the earlier servers. Much of the information covered in this book should remain the same for the future Netscape Server 4.x.You will find the latest revision of manuals, sample programs, articles, and other resources at this site.The release notes include important information about the latest updates, changes, and bugs. Netscape's online documentation provides the most current information about each version of the server. In an attempt to provide the most current information, much of this information may still be in revision. Online documents may be inaccurate or incomplete.

In this book, I have provided a tested review of the Netscape Server and its programming options. Although a printed book may not be as current as an online document, it has gone through a number of additional reviews and tests. Manuals or help files from a company usually provide the reference material and how-to instruction, but they do not provide an outsider's view. This book includes a number of warnings, bug reports, hints, and suggestions to assist you as a developer. The reason for the inclusion of this information is not to lessen the reputation of Netscape Server; instead, this information helps you find the source of a problem quickly and allows you to continue developing server solutions.

I hope you will find this book a source of learning and resources, because I really wrote it for my friends and colleagues. What You Need to Know

To use the information in this book to greatest advantage, you should have a general understanding of the Internet, the Web, HTML, and Netscape Server. You should become familiar with Netscape Server and the Netscape client browser, both Navigator and Communicator.

You should also be familiar with the C programming language. You should have experience with the client/server environment. Knowledge of C++ is also helpful, especially when we discuss WAI and CORBA. In the CORBA and WAI section, we also discuss Java programming options, so an understanding of Java can be beneficial. Nevertheless, you do not need to know Java to develop CORBA or WAI applications. For CORBA, you can use C++ or Java. For WAI, you can use C, C++, or Java. Conventions

The default server used for this book is Enterprise Server 3.5.1 for NT, but we will also refer to other platforms of Netscape Server. The main Netscape UNIX server used for testing and development for this book is Solaris. We will also refer to the Netscape FastTrack Server and previous versions of the Netscape Servers when needed. The name of the server is foo. The various examples of an IP address in this book use the fictitious IP address 1.2.3.4. The default browser is the English version of Netscape Communicator 4.04 for NT. In general, references to Navigator 4.x also apply to Communicator 4.x, and vice versa. Navigator 4.x serves as the Navigator component of Communicator.

The default server path used for the Enterprise Server in this book is c:/netscape/server/. The forward slash (/) in the system path information is used to separate the components of the system path, however, at the Windows NT command prompt, you use a backslash (\) to specify a path. The following conventions are used for formatting:

Courier font is used for code, URL address, HTML tags, system paths, variables, data structures, file names, class names, syntax information, and information that may appear on your computer screen. Bold is used for functions, obj.conf and magnus.conf directives, and emphasis. For example, Courier bold is used to emphasize the main server configuration files: obj.conf, magnus.conf, and mime.types. Courier Italic is used for texts or descriptions of variables that you need to input or replace with actual data.

020141970XP04062001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 975 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company (September 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020141970X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201419702
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,020,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Web Administrator, August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming Applications for Netscape Servers with CDROM (Paperback)

I thought I knew a lot before I read this book. I was just fooling my self..... Must own book if you work with NES.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all., November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming Applications for Netscape Servers with CDROM (Paperback)

This book has it all, from CGI to NSAPI to WAI and beyond. Not only does it cover their use in Netscape Enterprise Server, it provides insight into server internals, as well as extensive introductions to related protocols and features. This book focuses on making you thoroughly understand the subject, not just to be able to use it -- because thorough understanding is key for effective use of these interfaces. I found the countless side notes especially useful, allowing for more complete understanding, one tidbit at a time. These notes also feature warnings, and even mentions of bugs that might otherwise slow development down due to problems that may seem inexplicable. You can tell the author is an expert on his subject, and has clearly been in the application developer's shoes to accumulate the knowledge that he has poured into this book. An invaluable resource for application developers for the Enterprise Server.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading, October 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming Applications for Netscape Servers with CDROM (Paperback)

If you administer or develop for Netscape servers, you will benefit from this book. Administrators: the knowledge you gain from this book will allow you to modify the config files to do correctly what the Server Manager sometimes doesn't do properly, and configure features that simply cannot be administered from the Server Manager. Developers and Architects: Having read this book, you will know what options you have, and be more easily able to decide which architecture is best for your application -- and you'll be able to code it. In addition, your understanding of the key concepts will allow you to grasp quickly how external but related technologies (like Forte's Web Enterprise) work. Well-written, detailed and comprehensive; highly recommended.