Detailed Book Review: C++Builder 4 Unleashed

C++Builder 4 Unleashed
by Kent Reisdorph et al

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C++Builder 4 Unleashed
Kent Reisdorph (et al)
SAMS
0-672-31510-6
Table of Contents

Can you remember what I said last time about C++Builder 3 Unleashed? Exactly. Review chores to perform. This time, it's C++Builder 4 Unleashed that I received from Bob Swart. We recently moved together with a couple of other colleagues to TAS Advanced Technologies B.V. To be honest, the whole crew that mans the spaceship called drbob42.com moved to that company, much to the dismay of our former employer. Greener pastures, so to say, and we really are keen to do our most advanced deeds in the world of IT and of course in Borland tools. We have a good crew. In fact, the dedication Bob wrote in the book said 'To boldly go... together'. Many thanks, Bob. I appreciate the gesture very much and look forward to a good cooperation with all crewmembers so to say. Just a day or two before going to Italy for vacation in order to get a good rest and a nice tan, this book review of C++Builder 4 Unleashed. Let the dog out!

Facts
Borland C++Builder 4 Unleashed is written by Kent Reisdorph together with Bruneau Babet, Charlie Calvert, Jeff Cottingham, Jody Hagins, Harold Howe, Dana S. Kaufman and (last but not least) Bob Swart. It is published by Sams Publishing in the Borland Press series. ISBN 0-672-31510-6. The authors work for a variety of companies. Beware, the company listing for Bob Swart is old, as I mentioned, he recently moved to TAS Advanced Technologies. A CD-ROM accompanies the book.

Covered
Not in parts this time, but 26 chapters full of information. Kent starts off with some design and programming advice and goes right ahead into explaining component creation. That is followed by a chapter on C++ templates, a chapter on writing services and a chapter on using the RichEdit control. Then follows a part in the book in which databases in all their forms are discussed. After that, three chapters are dedicated to COM and OLE automation. Then it is the time for internet programming, which is followed by chapters on DCOM, MIDAS, ActiveForms and CORBA. Then follows a chapter on the integration of Delphi, C++Builder and Java. The book concludes with three chapters on VCL Graphics, DirectDraw and closes with a chapter on DirectX technologies other than DirectDraw.

What I like
I particularly like the fact that this time, all chapters are on paper. No more binary chapters on the CD like the previous C++Builder Unleashed. What's more, there is virtually no beginner level stuff in the book, but it still gives good overviews of how to accomplish things. The book covers almost all interesting things nowadays, like n-tier development and it has a good section on CORBA.

What I don't like
I am having a hard time coming up with dislikes when using the book. The code listings are still there, however, they seem to be shorter than last time. And it is not a book that you can easily carry around, but that is all I can think of.

Conclusion
This is an excellent book that contains good explanations on the topics covered. It covers the most interesting topics that are important when dealing with systems built with Borland tools. Yet another must-have!.

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