About the Authors

Eugene Olafsen has been working with Microsoft Windows since the 3.0 release. At that time, he was attempting to build a product using Digital Research’s GEM (Graphics Environment Manager), decided to port to Windows, and has never looked back. He has worked with MFC/OLE since its humble beginnings. Gene has worked to develop applications ranging from engine test simulators for Boeing to search and publishing systems for Reuters. He is an independent consultant and a principal partner in Stratton & Associates, Ltd. (www.strattonassociates.com), a software-engineering firm. His current projects include application development that leverages COM and Web technologies.

Kenn Scribner actually began his career in computers in 1980 as a pizzeria manager. After he realized he didn’t want to make pizzas for a living, he joined the Air Force as a computer operator. Two degrees and a commission later, he found himself designing silicon-based Fast Fourier Transform processors and running a research flight simulation facility. As the Air Force downsized, he retired and began writing Windows applications. (He’s delighted to earn a living with his previous hobby!) Kenn has written several commercial Windows applications, and he now finds himself writing all the client user interface code and major ATL-based COM components for a large-scale n-tier client/server application. Kenn also started his own company, the EnduraSoft Corporation (http://www.endurasoft.com), writes the “Windows Programming” column for “TechTalk”—the newsletter of the Small Computer Book Club (http://www.booksonline.com)—and acts as a Windows programming technical reviewer for several publishers. In his dwindling spare time, Kenn enjoys the company of his lovely wife and two wonderful children, works with his horse, remodels parts of his house, and generally acts as EnduraSoft’s chief groundskeeper. Kenn can be reached at kenn@endurasoft.com.

K. David White has been developing software since 1981, using a wide variety of products, platforms, and languages. During this time, Dave implemented several systems, ranging from a facilities security system based on DEC MACRO-32 to several large supervisory control systems in the oil industry on DEC VMS. Seeing the handwriting on the wall in 1993, Dave started developing Windows-based software using Microsoft C and C++. Since that time, Dave has produced several MFC-based products and is currently developing ATL COM objects. Dave also contributed to the Sams book Sams Teach Yourself Database Programming with Visual C++ in 21 Days. In what little spare time that Dave has, he thoroughly enjoys woodworking, golf, singing, and spending time with his wife and three kids. Dave can be reached through email at kdwhite@donet.com.

Contributing Authors

Michael Morrison is a writer, developer, toy inventor, and author of a variety of books including Sams Teach Yourself MFC in 24 Hours (Sams Publishing, 1999), Windows 95 Game Developer’s Guide Using the Game SDK (Sams Publishing, 1997), Complete Idiot’s Guide to Java 1.2 (Que Corporation, 1998), and Java 1.1 Unleashed (Sams Publishing, 1997). Michael is also the instructor of several Web-based courses, including DigitalThink’s Win32 Programming series, the Introduction to Java 2 series, and the JavaBeans for Programmers series. Michael cut his teeth on Windows programming by codeveloping one of the first action games for Windows, Combat Tanks. When not glued to his computer, risking life and limb on his skateboard, or watching movies with his wife, Mahsheed, Michael enjoys hanging out by his koi pond.

Davis Chapman first began programming computers while working on his master’s degree in music composition. Writing applications for computer music, he discovered that he enjoyed designing and developing computer software. It wasn’t long before he came to the realization that he stood a much better chance of eating if he stuck with his new-found skill and demoted his hard-earned status as a “starving artist” to a part-time hobby. Since that time, Davis has focused on the art of software design and development, with a strong emphasis on the practical application of client/server technology. Davis is the lead author of Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6 in 21 Days, Web Development with Visual Basic 5, and Building Internet Applications with Delphi 2. Davis is also a contributing author on Special Edition Using Active Server Pages and Running a Perfect Web Site, Second Edition. He has been a consultant working and living in Dallas, Texas, for the past ten years and can be reached at davischa@onramp.net.

David Lowndes is a senior software developer at Boldon James Ltd. A Microsoft MVP since 1996, Davis is a frequent contributor to the microsoft.public.vc newsgroups, helping with Visual C++ and general Win32 issues. When not programming, he can be found playing guitar and trying to muscle in on his son’s band. David can be contacted at davidl@mvps.org.

Bill Heyman is an independent software consultant who specializes in systems and applications software development using Microsoft Visual C++ and MFC Windows platforms. As a ten-year software development veteran who has provided software engineering services for IBM and Andersen Consulting, Bill has experience in DOS, OS/2, Windows, UNIX, and PalmOS. For more information, including consultation for your own project, visit Bill at his Web site, http://www.heymansoftware.com/~heyman/. His email address is heyman@heymansoftware.com.

Ed Harris is the lead engineer for tools and components development at NetPro Computing, Inc. His group designs reusable frameworks for distributed network and directory service monitoring on both Win32 and NetWare networks. Previous to that, Ed spent eight years as a Visual C, Windows, and MFC consultant, specializing in the unlikely combination of custom control development and mouse drivers. When not developing software, Ed enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Angela, flying airplanes, and playing basketball. Ed can be contacted at edh@netpro.com.

Keith McIntyre has been developing software since the days of 4-bit processors. He has watched and participated in the personal computer, local area network, client/server, and Internet evolutions. During his years as a consultant/contract engineer, Keith has worked on a myriad of technologies, including turbine engineer control systems, satellite communication systems, tape drive firmware, UNIX and Windows device drivers, imaging and document management software, and custom application development. Keith has contributed to many shrink-wrap software products including those published by Optigraphics, Emerald Systems, Compton’s New Media, and Qualcomm. Keith is currently vice president of engineering for Stellcom’s Internet Systems division. Keith McIntyre holds a B.S. in Computer Science.

Rob McGregor began exploring computer programming in BASIC as a teenager in 1978. Since then, Rob has worked as a programmer, software consultant, and 3D computer artist; he has written a variety of programs for Microsoft and numerous other companies. Rob lives in Rockledge, Florida, and in his free time, enjoys ray tracing, reading, writing, and playing guitar. You can contact Rob via email at rob_mcgregor@compuserve.com.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Chris Webb at Macmillan for his advice and support throughout my involvement with this book. Additionally, I cannot praise the various editors and individuals involved in production enough for their input and the value they add to this project. I would like to thank Hub and Simon at TSCentral for their flexible working arrangements during the final push to complete this text. Thanks to John Penrose of Progressive Technologies for his late-night calls, reminding me that I’m not the only one up working. Thanks to my brother Stephen for getting my network running and answering my NT Server administration questions. Thanks also to my friends at Reuters, especially Steve, Dave, Ray, Joe, and Ed. Finally, I must acknowledge Gina for her tireless code reviews throughout the years.

—Gene Olafsen

If there was a time not to write a book, it was while I was writing this one. My wife was studying for medical school entrance, my current project at work wanted to consume all my time and then some, and my children were very, very young (miss a day and you miss a lot). I couldn’t forget to thank them for their sacrifice so that I could make this effort. I would also like to thank the terrific team at MCP, especially Chris Webb, who put up with this cranky author. (I was, too; just ask him.) I would like to extend most heartfelt thanks to Keith Davenport, Dana Lesh, and Margaret Berson, all at MCP. It was they who had to read my raw material and fire it in the crucible of experience to produce the fine product you hold in your hands. And thanks to the nameless (to me) crew, who tirelessly set the type, adjusted the margins, and actually put my words to paper. From experience, I know it’s not a small task. Finally, thanks to you for taking the time to look over my work and find it worthy of your hard-earned dollar. I hope you enjoy reading it and find it tremendously useful in your daily work.

—Kenn Scribner

There are so many people that have been supportive through the writing of this book. I want to thank Chris Webb of Macmillan Publishing for being extremely patient during this ordeal. Writing a book about a topic that has a plethora of coverage already is no easy task. Coupling that with the demands of a job and family leads to very long nights and extended schedules. Even though the publishing deadlines loomed large in the rear-view mirror, Chris remained supportive during the entire effort. He was also responsible for tracking down contributing authors. Another person that needs recognition is my mother. I would like to thank her for helping me through school all those years ago. Her sacrifices to her family have paid off in dividends that cannot be described by mere words. Thanks, Mom! I would also like to thank Kenn Scribner for his contribution to this effort and his insight into helping me put together the table of contents. His daily support and encouragement helped me cope with the daily pressures. If you need an ActiveX guru, Kenn is your man! But, most of all, I want to thank the love of my life, my wife, for allowing me to put myself into this work. The late nights and missed opportunities can never be regained, and I just want to tell my family how much I love them!

—K. David White

Dedication

To my wife, Donna, for her love, encouragement, and understanding—and to my children, Ashley and Eric, for the insight and wisdom they offer, beyond their years.

—Gene Olafsen

This, my first book, is lovingly dedicated to my wife, Judi, and to my children, Aaron and Katie.

—Kenn Scribner

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