C++ Network Programming. Volume 2, Systematic Reuse Based on ACE and Frameworks

Author: (USA) Schmidt, (USA) Houston
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The "C++ Network Programming" series is precisely the stepping stone that helps us enter a better world of networked application development. In Volume 1, the two authors, Douglas C. Schmidt and Stephen D. Huston, begin by reviewing the issues and tools involved in writing concurrent networked applications, introducing the various design dimensions, patterns, and principles required to develop flexible and efficient concurrent networked applications. Through the study of Volume 1, you will be able to understand how to effectively apply C++ and patterns to the development of object-oriented networked applications while enhancing your design skills. In Volume 2, the two authors will describe the design principles of the ACE framework and how it can help developers "navigate" between the limitations of lower-level local operating system APIs and higher-level distributed object computing middleware. The former is neither flexible nor portable, while the latter is often lacking in efficiency and flexibility for networked applications with stringent QoS and portability requirements. Traditionally, the skills required to generate and use networked application frameworks have been locked in the minds of expert developers or deeply buried in the source code of numerous projects scattered across enterprises and industries. Both scenarios are, of course, undesirable, as re-acquiring this knowledge for each new application or project is both time-consuming and prone to errors. To address this issue, Volume 2 explains the various key patterns underlying the structure and functionality of the ACE framework. This will also help us understand the design, implementation, and effective use of ACE itself. ACE (ADAPTIVE Communication Environment) is an open-source toolkit for building high-performance networked applications and next-generation middleware, widely used in software projects around the world. This book is a sequel to "C++ Network Programming" (Volume 1), written by Douglas C. Schmidt, one of the primary developers of ACE, and Stephen D. Houston. It covers the basic concepts, patterns, and usage rules of the major frameworks in ACE. This book will describe the design of these frameworks and how they can help you overcome the limitations of lower-level local operating system APIs and higher-level distributed computing middleware, enabling you to efficiently develop high-quality, portable C++ networked applications. This book is another work by Douglas C. Schmidt following the highly acclaimed POSA2 (Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture: Patterns for Concurrent and Networked Objects). Through studying this book, you will gain a deeper understanding and mastery of various design patterns applicable to networked application development.