Implementation of client/server applications using the Component Object Model

Client/Server computing has evolved in the last few years. The Internet is composed of a large number of client/server systems that are used by businesses and home users for a variety of purposes. With Internet computing becoming more popular, the need to web-enabled software applications is becoming more urgent. Client/Server software applications implemented using the component object model can help to achieve this goal.; Distributed Component Object Model technology (DCOM) and Component Object Model (COM) are solutions which allow Microsoft WindowsRTM client/server applications to be web-enabled. Designing robust client/server software with COM/DCOM requires a thorough understanding of COM/DCOM design principles, software application goals, and client/server systems.; This paper examines client/server design from the ground up. Client/Server design goals and mistakes are discussed, as well as component model technologies like COM and DCOM. Two applications, Network Calculator and File Locator, are implemented for to demonstrate the concept of standard client/servers. These applications are rewritten in COM and DCOM to illustrate a web-based approach to client/server applications. The advantages of using COM/DCOM over a standard client/server design are discussed and a real world example of a sophisticated client/server system, called StarTeam, and its design is introduced.