"Literate programming," a concept introduced by Donald Knuth, lets you mix code and documentation in the layout of a program. Sverre implements the Singleton and State patterns to combine a macro processor with literate programming techniques.
Worker applets are nonvisual components that labor unseen behind the flashy facades of web pages. Using Java, JavaScript, and HTML, Martin presents three design patterns for incorporating worker applets into web projects.
When developing object-oriented designs, one of your goals should be to define a set of classes that are related hierarchically through inheritance. John focuses on the modeling approach to design. In doing so, he works with Venn diagrams and Object Models.
Regression testing is a necessary, but tiresome, task, particularly in complex programs that have dependencies between subsystems. Fred shows how Perl scripts can automate the regression testing process.
idldoc reads in IDL (the OMG's "Interface Description Language") source and generates a set of HTML pages that document the interfaces described in the IDL.
SBI implements a useful subset of Visual Basic. As such, SBI is a powerful scripting language that you and your users can instantly put to work.
Rolf presents IntMon and WdMon, a set of verification and "problem-spotting" tools he wrote to ensure that interrupts are not missed, watchdogs are serviced, and processes don't run too long.
Tom examines the IP Security (IPSEC) protocol, a security layer that is part of the IPv6 protocol. IPSEC operates in the IP layer and secures anything using UDP or TCP.
David presents a technique for providing unlimited undo and redo capabilities to windows developed using PowerBuilder. He uses design patterns to provide a simple, standardized approach that is easily understood and highly adaptable to a variety of specific problems.
By implementing a software layer that receives control from a web server, OpenMarket's FastCGI protocol addresses many of the shortcomings of both conventional CGI and server APIs. Our authors discuss the FastCGI protocol, describe the OpenMarket C programming library for FastCGI, and develop example applications using the OpenMarket library.
From programming languages to free speech on the Internet, paradigm shifts do indeed happen. Michael looks at some paradigms that may (or may not) be in transition.
Al continues his examination of visual development environments for C++, this month focusing on PowerSoft's Optima++ 1.5. He also takes a peek at Windows CE before (or while) heading for the beach.
With its built-in security features, Java is among the most secure environments you can program in. This month, Cliff explains how to create a security manager for your applications.
John examines a technique for symbolic integration proposed by James Slagle over 30 years ago. In doing so, he uses CLIPS (C Language Integrated Production System), a nonprocedural language that supports system development across and among three programming paradigms -- rule-based, object-oriented, and procedural.
The ActiveX Template Library (included with Visual C++ 5.0), a framework for creating COM components, takes care of things such as class object and server lifetime issues, COM identity, and implementing IDispatch.
How data is visualized is the focus of two books this month. Richard Brath examines The Visualization Toolkit: An Object-Oriented Approach to 3D Graphics, by Will Schroeder, Ken Martin, and Bill Lorensen, and Ray Duncan looks at Visual Explanations, by Edward R. Tufte.