The Preface lists the contents of the VisiBroker for C++ Programmer's Guide, describes typographic and syntax conventions used throughout the manual and provides references for more information about CORBA.

Organization of this Manual

Typographic Conventions

Where to Find Additional Information

Contacting Visigenic Technical Support

Organization of this Manual

• Chapter 1,"VisiBroker Basics", introduces CORBA concepts and describes the software development process using VisiBroker for C++.
• Chapter 2, "Getting Started", provides in-depth descriptions of application development using an example application.
• Chapter 3, "Naming and Binding to Objects", describes how objects are identified and located by client applications.
• Chapter 4, "Object and Implementation Activation", discusses how objects are implemented and made available for use by client applications.
• Chapter 5, "The ORB Smart Agent", describes the directory service agent and its features.
• Chapter 6, "Error Handling", provides detailed information on handling error with C++ exceptions and Environments.
• Chapter 7, "Handling Events", describes the VisiBroker event handling mechanism.
• Chapter 8, "Advanced Programming Topics", discusses multi-threaded programming and how to integrate event processing with other event-based services.
• Chapter 9, "Dynamic Interfaces", describes the how to dynamically obtain object interfaces and build requests.
• Chapter 10, "The IDL Compiler", describes the VisiBroker IDL compiler for C++.
• Chapter 11, "IDL to C++ Language Mapping", describes the language mapping for C++.
• Chapter 12, "Parameter Passing Rules", describes the conventions for passing parameters.
• Appendix A, Platforms without C++ Exceptions, provides information about platforms without C++ exception support.

boldface

Bold type indicates that syntax should be typed exactly as shown. For UNIX, used to indicate database names, commands, filenames, and similar terms.

italics

Italics indicates information that the user or application provides, such as variables in syntax diagrams. It is also used to introduce new terms.

computer

Computer typeface is used for sample command lines and code.

UPPER CASE

Uppercase letters indicate -Windows file names.

[]

Brackets indicate optional items.

...

An ellipsis indicates that the previous argument can be repeated.

|

A vertical bar separates two mutually exclusive choices.

.
.
.

A column of three dots indicates the continuation of previous lines
of code.

Where to Find Additional Information

• VisiBroker for C++ Reference Guide. This guide contains the information on developing distributed object applications in C++ for Windows and UNIX platforms.
• VisiBroker for C++ Installation Guide. This guide contains the instructions for installing VisiBroker for C++ on Windows and UNIX.
• VisiBroker for C++ Release Notes.These notes contain late-breaking information about the current release of VisiBroker for C++.

• The Common Object Request Broker: Architecture and Specification - 96-03-04. This document is available from the Object Management Group and describes the architectural details of CORBA. You can access the CORBA specification using the World Wide Web at the following URL: www.omg.org/corbask.htm.
• IDL to C++ Language Mapping - 94-9-14. This document is available from the Object Management Group and describes the Interface Definition Language mappings for C++.

• Phone: 415-286-1700
• E-mail: support@visigenic.com
• Fax: 415-286-2475