Product Description
Get hands-on guidance for developing smart client applications using Windows Forms with the Composite UI Application Block (CAB) and the Smart Client Software Factory. Smart clients bridge the gap between thin clients and rich clients--providing the benefits of Web applications without sacrificing user experience. However, developing smart clients often requires the skill of an experienced programmer using Microsoft Visual Studio®, Microsoft ASP.NET, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. This book details a simpler, approachable method. With just your fundamental Microsoft Visual Basic® or Microsoft Visual C#® skills, this guide will help you understand the prefabricated classes of CAB and the proven patterns that the Smart Client Software Factory provides. This book offers classroom-tested guidance, hands-on instruction, and a proven building-block approach. Through seven modular lessons, developers of moderate experience with learn how to create functional, robust smart client applications.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.0 based on 12 reviews)

not a bad book

Its not a bad book but its not exactly what I was looking for. Having said that there are not many books telling you what this does, so it becomes a must buy.
February 08, 2008

A lost opportunity

Many of us who are developing applications using CAB/SCSF could use a comprehensive "How To" book on this topic. Unfortunately, this book didn't sieze the opportunity to deliver such a book. There is *some* good information in the book, and the Introduction chapter nicely whets the appetite. Unfortunately, the rest of the book falls far short of providing the necessary guidance and examples to make it truly useful. There is certainly enough information in CAB/SCSF to fill a book with at least twice the content of this one. It makes me wonder whether the book was rushed to market or whether the author and editors just lacked the will and fortitude to write the type of book that this could have been.
December 21, 2007

Essential read if you are the intended audience

If you are looking for a 3k page bible on SCSF and CAB, move along partner, because this ain't it.
If, however, you have been wanting to work with SCSF but couldn't find a good starting point, this is your book. If you've heard the alluring call of SCSF's decoupled architecture and want to get your feet wet, this is your book. If you've done The Walkthrough and found that you still didn't understand what it really *meant*, this is your book. If you are developing in the SCSF but want to read about pitfalls, tips and tricks from someone who has already traveled that road, this is your book.
This book begins top down by explaining the decoupled architecture and its benefits. It then dives down a level and explains how the WorkItems, Collections and Services work together to enable the decoupling. Finally it dives one more level and hits upon some key Services, Event Brokering, Action Catalog and some of the other "big" pieces of SCSF. At key points you get prudent advice about how real products are using SCSF features in deployed applications in the real world.

To summarize: If you are already an SCSF god, there is nothing new here for you. If you are an SCSF neophyte, this book is a worthwhile read to shortcut the SCSF learning curve.
October 15, 2007

Must Read Introduction

David's book provides a necessary foundation for anyone wanting to become proficient with CAB programming. Unless you are already an experienced CAB developer or are looking for low level CAB framework details, this book will be of great benefit. A real asset in helping you understand the complexities of CAB, the SCSF and get you started toward successful CAB development.
October 02, 2007

An important read.

I found this book to be well worth the money.

CAB on its own is a large topic, add SCSF and the amount of information is overwhelming. David's book is an attempt to distill and present enough information to shorten the learning curve, and enable someone to make an informed decision about what CAB can do for them. This book is not intended to replace the official Software Factory documentation, but it does provide a valuable piece of the overall puzzle.

David's book clearly explains some of the history behind how CAB became what it is today and how real world experience is guiding CAB's evolution. There are examples which leverage David's experience with the product to supply valuable information available nowhere else.

There is certainly a need for more detailed documentation and David shows in this book he has the knowledge and experience to write a volume 2 on CAB & SCSF Advanced Topics. And I for one hope he does so real soon.
September 13, 2007

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