I am not a manager! I have been programming since I was thirteen years old and can program in fourteen different languages, developing code is my profession, hobby, and passion. As a rule of thumb I steer away from books that say “a Guide for … Managers.” Scott Adams might agree. However, this book was recommended from a friend and it is excellent. I just started learning how to program COM, and was having a hard time understanding it. The first thing I usually do when learning something new is pick up a book, but all the COM books I tried started with IUnknown, and I was lost from the start. Understanding ActiveX and OLE is not like all the other COM Books. It starts with the basics and explains what ActiveX, OLE, COM, and DCOM are. IUnknown is not mentioned until page 47! Since I was borrowing my friend’s book, I instantly ordered my copy from http://www.amazon.com, because I know that this book will be one of my main references. This is not a book of code, it might be out date in six months, like the MIDL compiler outdated all other COM books when released. This is a book of basic information about COM, with both old and new definitions of OLE.
Understanding ActiveX and OLE explains Marshaling, Automation, Persistence, Monikers, OLE Compound Documents, ActiveX Controls, and DCOM in detail. There is almost no code in the whole book (except for some examples of an interface description in an .idl). The book is packed with great pictures, diagrams, and a wealth of knowledge. As an added bonus, there is what I call “manager bullets” on every page. Manager bullets, named after bullet points, are points that I give my manager, and he in turn gives his manager, as a persuasion to do something. This book is packed with bullets that support COM projects.
This is one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. Microsoft Press, and David Chappell, have produced an authoritative reference to ActiveX, COM, and OLE. I am not ashamed to own this manager book.
