Advanced CORBA Programming with C++

Detailed Summary of the Book

'Advanced CORBA Programming with C++' starts by introducing the fundamentals of CORBA, an industry-standard for enabling communication between systems on different platforms written in various programming languages. Moving beyond the basics, the book systematically navigates through numerous intricacies, ensuring a profound understanding of CORBA's capabilities and limitations.

With a focus on C++, the book provides comprehensive explanations and examples of the CORBA standard, emphasizing real-world applications. The authors present an in-depth look at CORBA IDL (Interface Definition Language), its data types, and techniques for defining interfaces, offering programmers the tools necessary for creating adaptable and maintainable distributed applications.

Readers are further introduced to intricate topics such as multi-threaded server implementations, efficient object-oriented design patterns, and strategies for dealing with scalability and performance issues. The book also explores advanced features like the Dynamic Invocation Interface (DII), Dynamic Skeleton Interface (DSI), and the Portable Object Adapter (POA).

Honing in on practical knowledge, the book includes detailed sections on debugging, testing, and deployment of CORBA-based systems. By guiding readers through complex programming challenges, Michi Henning and Steve Vinoski masterfully combine theoretical concepts with real-world practices.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the core concepts and architecture of CORBA.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IDL and its integration with C++.
• Advanced implementation strategies for scalable and efficient CORBA applications.
• Design patterns and best practices for distributed systems development.
• Insights into multi-threading, performance optimization, and object lifecycle management.

Famous Quotes from the Book

"At its heart, CORBA is about hiding the complexity of the network from the programmer and allowing focus on the application logic."

"To create systems that remain robust and flexible over time, it is essential to abstract the core functionalities and shield them from volatile implementation details."

Why This Book Matters

This book matters because it addresses a critical need for tools and knowledge in developing distributed systems, which are increasingly significant in our interconnected world. 'Advanced CORBA Programming with C++' stands out for providing both breadth and depth in covering CORBA's capabilities with C++. It's particularly vital for software engineers looking to build scalable, efficient systems capable of functioning seamlessly across diverse computing environments.

The authors, Michi Henning and Steve Vinoski, are recognized experts in the field, bringing their extensive experience to the narrative, which went on to influence countless software developers and architects. Their guide not only covers the specifics of CORBA and C++ but also teaches a mindset of abstraction and system design that is applicable to a broad range of technology domains. Even as technologies evolve, the foundational principles and practices discussed in this work remain relevant and insightful.