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XML-Based Configuration
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COM+ adds features that align it with .NET. These include application pooling,
application recycling, partitioning, and SOAP support.
Application Types
Table 9-1 outlines the many different types of applications that you can build on top
of the .NET Framework.
These listed application types should encompass all incarnations of modern applications.
XML-Based Conguration
You’ll primarily configure .NET applications through the use of XML files. This is
replacing previous, more cryptic stores such as the Windows registry or a configura-
tion database. If you are involved with .NET and are not yet familiar with XML, I
recommend you purchase a good book to study it. I recommend Microsoft ASP.NET
Setup and Configuration Pocket Reference (Microsoft Press). This work provides out-
standing detail into the management of ASP.NET applications. It is a reference guide
that covers ASP.NET along with a good amount of general .NET information.
Table 9-1. .NET application types
Type Technology Description
Web ASP.NET Web applications provide for a simple consistent user experience without all
the geographical and system dependencies of thick client applications.
ASP.NET, the successor to classic ASP, has been rewritten to abstract the
complexities of the web environment to provide a simpler development
environment.
Web service ASP.NET Web services are not directly exposed to users, but other applications do use
them toaccess systems and data. Web servicesprovide a standard method of
inter-application communication across disparate systems.
Windows Windows Forms Windows applications provide a very rich, efficient user experience, but tra-
ditionally have been difficult to manage because of deployment and system
dependencies. The .NET Framework with Windows Forms attempts to allevi-
ate much of this hassle.
Component COM+ Component applications, such as web services, are not exposed directly to
users. An application running under COM+ can provide much of the same
functionality as a web service, but COM+ provides more transactional and
management capabilities.
Windows service N/A Windows service applications are long-running applications that do not
require intervention from users. These applications can run without a user
logged into the machine.
Console N/A Console applications are mostly useful as utility applications that require
minimal userinteraction. The input from the useris generally provided when
the application starts in the form of command-line arguments.

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