Windows NT Internet and Intranet Development

To learn more about author Sanjaya Hettihewa, please visit the author's homepage.

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Introduction to Internet and Intranet Development


The Internet has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years. The purpose of this chapter is to give you a quick overview of Windows NT Internet and intranet development, emphasizing how various features of Windows NT can be used to develop compelling content for an Internet or intranet Web site. You will then be shown how each chapter of this book relates to developing a fully functional and compelling Web site with Windows NT. Although Internet and intranet technologies are for the most part the same, there are a few key differences.

Internet and Intranet Web-Site Development

As shown in Figure 1.1, the anatomy of an Internet Web site is very similar to that of an intranet Web site. The main difference between the two is the scope of the network. While an intranet Web site is accessible to only certain users in one or several organizations, an Internet Web site is accessible to millions of users all over the Internet.

Figure 1.1. The anatomy of a Windows NT Internet/intranet.

Before developing an Internet or intranet Web site, it is worthwhile to explore the differences between the two, as well as the issues related to developing Internet and intranet Web sites. The next two sections, "Internet Web-Site Development" and "Intranet Web-Site Development," discuss Internet and intranet Web development as they relate to the following topics:

Internet Web-Site Development

Internet Web-site development is a constant balancing act between developing compelling and richly interactive content and addressing compatibility issues. There are two solutions to this problem--each with its own set of advantages and drawbacks.

Let's explore how bandwidth availability, platform compatibility, scope of audience, and security affect Internet Web-site development.

Intranet Web-Site Development

Intranet Web sites are increasingly becoming the backbones of the information infrastructures within organizations. Prior to intranets, information in organizations was usually scattered across countless servers with obscure server names, user names, and passwords. To make matters more confusing, there was no uniform medium or format to access and view the information. One document could be stored in Microsoft Word format on one server, another document could be stored as a Postscript file on another server, and yet another document could be stored in WordPerfect format on another server. Not only did users have to remember all the obscure server names, user names, and passwords, they had to have countless helper applications (such as Postscript file viewer, Microsoft Word viewer, and so on) installed on their computers to browse information. Intranets solved this information-distribution problem by providing a cross-platform medium, Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP), and document format, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).


Note:Virtually every topic covered in this book applies to both Internet and intranet development. In most cases, the main difference between Internet and intranet development is that you generally don't need to be concerned about limited bandwidth and browser-compatibility issues when developing content for an intranet Web site. The situation changes when developing content for an Internet Web site. In such cases, you will be shown how to deal with various platform- and browser-compatibility issues.

Organization of This Book

Now that you are aware of some of the challenges associated with developing an Internet or intranet Web site, and you have learned how features of Windows NT can be used to make your life easier, let's explore how various chapters of this book help you develop a fully functional, richly interactive Web site with engaging content. The rest of this chapter gives you a preview of how each chapter fits into the overall task of developing a richly interactive and visually appealing Web site with Windows NT.

Part I: Microsoft Internet Client Applications

It is important to understand the capabilities of various Microsoft Internet client applications when developing an Internet or intranet Web site--especially for an intranet Web site, because you might be responsible for ensuring that your users have the necessary software to access information from your Web site. Because all Microsoft Internet client applications discussed in Part I of this book are distributed free of charge from Microsoft's Web site, they can be used to cost-effectively allow users to access the information they need. Browse the following URL to learn about various Microsoft Internet applications.


URL:Visit the Microsoft Internet Products Web page at:
http://www.microsoft.com/products/

Chapter 2: Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 is the flagship application of Microsoft's Internet client applications. Internet Explorer is used not only for navigating the Web (see Figure 1.2), but also for browsing various objects of the user's computer (see Figure 1.3).

Figure 1.2. Internet Explorer is used to navigate Web pages.

Figure 1.3. Internet Explorer is used to browse various objects of the user's computer.

Chapter 3: Microsoft Internet Mail

Microsoft Internet Mail is used to send and receive Internet e-mail. In addition to working with the Microsoft Exchange mail server, Microsoft Internet Mail works with any SMTP/POP Internet mail server, making it an ideal solution for Internet mail regardless of the mail server you use.

Chapter 4: Microsoft Internet News

Microsoft Internet News allows users to subscribe to and read messages from various Internet newsgroups. Encourage users to use newsgroups to find the information they need.

Chapter 5: Microsoft NetMeeting

Microsoft NetMeeting is a powerful communication and collaboration tool used to share information between users. Chapter 5 covers the following features of NetMeeting, including how they can be used to increase productivity and collaborate with other users:

Part II: Developing Compelling Web Pages

Although content is the most important aspect of a Web page, it does not hurt to organize that content in a visually appealing manner. Part II discusses how FrontPage, Microsoft Office, and the ActiveX Notepad can be used to create compelling content for your Web site. FrontPage is shipped free of charge with Windows NT Server 4.0. The ActiveX Notepad is distributed free of charge from Microsoft's Web site. If you have not done so already, I recommend that you invest in Microsoft Office Professional 97, because it is a collection of very powerful Web page development tools.

Chapter 6: Developing Web Pages with Microsoft Office

Chapter 6 is based on Microsoft Office 97. It demonstrates how various applications of Microsoft Office 97 are used to develop visually appealing Web pages. If you have already used Microsoft Office Internet assistants in the past, you'll appreciate the Web-publishing capabilities built in to various Microsoft Office 97 applications. Developing content for your Web site with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access are covered in Chapter 6.

Chapter 7: Developing Web Pages with Microsoft FrontPage

Microsoft FrontPage is an ideal application for managing the contents of a Web site. While Microsoft FrontPage Editor is an easy-to-use and powerful Web-page development tool, FrontPage Explorer is ideal for managing the contents of an entire Web site.

Chapter 8: Developing Web Pages with the ActiveX Control Pad

The ActiveX Control Pad looks very similar to the Windows Notepad, but includes a host of powerful Web-page development features. It can be used to easily insert ActiveX controls into a Web page, and to automate them using VBScript or JavaScript.

Chapter 9: Cascading Style Sheets

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are used to format the contents of a Web page and present the page to users in a visually appealing manner. HTML offers very little control to Web page designers, apart from providing the ability to manipulate basic formatting attributes such as text and background colors, and providing the ability to define tables. Chapter 9 demonstrates how to use CSS to control the exact location of Web-page elements such as text and graphics.

Part III: CGI, ISAPI, and Database Developer's Guide'

Internet Web pages, ActiveX controls, Java applications, Internet Database Connector scripts, and VBScript applications are all examples of Web applications. While some Web applications (such as Internet Database Connector scripts) are executed on the Web server, others (such as VBScript applications) are executed on the Web browser. Part III focuses on developing various server-side applications for Internet Information Server to make your Web site interactive.

Chapter 10: Developing CGI Applications

Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is a standard used to exchange information between Web servers and Web browsers. Chapter 10 covers the basics of CGI application development and demonstrates how to develop the classic Hello World! application using CGI.

Chapter 11: Developing ISAPI Applications

Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI) is a programming interface for creating high-performance Web-server applications. In Chapter 11, you will learn how to use Microsoft Visual C++ to create an ISAPI application and use it to provide dynamic content to users browsing your Web site.

Chapter 12: Developing ODBC Database Front-Ends

The Internet Database Connector allows users browsing a Web site to interact with an ODBC database on the server. The Internet Database Connector examples included with Internet Information Server function only if you have Microsoft SQL Server installed on your system. Chapter 12 demonstrates how to use the Internet Database Connector to interact with any ODBC database on your system.

Part IV: VBScript Developer's Guide'

VBScript is Microsoft's scripting language for the Internet. It is easy to use, powerful, and lightweight. Chapters 13-23 comprehensively cover all aspects of VBScript, along with how ActiveX controls can be automated using VBScript.

Chapter 13: Introduction to VBScript

Chapter 13 introduces VBScript programming. After providing a quick overview of VBScript, along with some of its capabilities, you are shown how to develop the classic Hello World! application using VBScript.

Chapter 14: Fundamentals of VBScript

Certain fundamentals of VBScript have to be mastered to develop efficient, readable, and reusable VBScript applications. Information provided in Chapter 14 helps you effectively use the information presented in Chapters 15-23.

Chapter 15: Working with Data Structures

Chapter 15 introduces you to VBScript literals and data structures. Data structures are used to store values of various calculations for future reference. Data-structure compatibility issues are also discussed in Chapter 15.

Chapter 16: Operators, Control Structures, and Iterative Structures

Operators and control structures are used to perform iterative tasks and to assign values to variables and ActiveX control properties. Chapter 16 comprehensively covers types of control structures and operators available to VBScript programmers.

Chapter 17: Data Conversion and Validation

Values can be converted and validated using VBScript functions. Chapter 17 comprehensively covers data-conversion and validation functions available to VBScript application developers. Data-type compatibility issues associated with data conversion are also discussed, outlining when you should perform data validation before performing certain calculations.

Chapter 18: Time- and String-Manipulation Functions

Certain VBScript functions are used to process date/time information, as well as to obtain the current date and time from the system. Chapter 18 covers VBScript functions used to manipulate strings, as well as date/time information.

Chapter 19: Mathematical Functions

VBScript supports a number of mathematical functions. Chapter 19 comprehensively covers these mathematical functions, demonstrating how they are used in VBScript applications.

Chapter 20: Interacting with Users

VBScript applications interact with users using dialog boxes as well as HTML forms. Chapter 20 covers ways in which a VBScript application can communicate with a user browsing your Web site.

Chapter 21: Manipulating Cookies with VBScript

Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) is a stateless protocol. As soon as an HTTP transaction is completed, the connection between the Web browser and the Web server is dropped. No information about the state of the transaction between the Web server and the Web browser is retained. Cookies are used to remember the state of certain transactions between a Web browser and a Web server from one session to another; Chapter 21 demonstrates this. For example, cookies can be used to determine how many times a user has visited your Web site using VBScript--without executing any script on the server.

Chapter 22: Manipulating Web-Browser Objects and Events

Certain Web-browser objects and events are exposed to Web-browser scripting languages such as VBScript, JScript, and JavaScript. Chapter 22 covers useful Web-browser objects and events, demonstrating how they can be manipulated with a scripting language such as VBScript.

Chapter 23: Developing VBScript Applications

Useful applications can be developed using VBScript. Chapter 23 demonstrates the power and versatility of VBScript by demonstrating how VBScript is used to develop fully functional applications that can be incorporated into your Web pages.

Part V: ActiveX Controls

ActiveX controls are used to add a new level of interactivity to Web pages. Chapters 24-27 demonstrate how to use Microsoft's ActiveX technology to create visually appealing, informative, and intelligent Web pages.

Chapter 24: Introduction to ActiveX Controls

Chapter 24 outlines the benefits of using Microsoft's ActiveX technology and discusses compatibility issues associated with using ActiveX controls in Web pages. Related security issues are also covered.

Chapter 25: Automating ActiveX Controls with VBScript

Certain properties of ActiveX controls can be manipulated with VBScript. In Chapter 25, you will learn how to manipulate properties of ActiveX controls using VBScript, and you will learn how to trigger certain actions associated with ActiveX controls.

Chapter 26: VBScript Programming with the ActiveX Control Pad

The ActiveX Control Pad provides an environment for developing VBScript (as well as JavaScript) applications. Chapter 26 introduces you to the VBScript development environment of the ActiveX Control Pad and demonstrates how various features of the ActiveX Control Pad can be used to develop interactive Web pages.

Chapter 27: Useful ActiveX Controls

A number of useful ActiveX controls are documented in Chapter 27. You will learn about properties of ActiveX controls, as well as how they can be manipulated with VBScript and JavaScript to develop interactive Web pages.

Summary

Windows NT is an ideal platform for developing and deploying Internet and intranet Web sites. While Windows NT Server is optimized for deploying Internet servers, Windows NT Workstation is optimized for running various productivity applications. Virtually all the topics covered in later chapters apply to both Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server, with the exception of topics related to various components of BackOffice.

Although the biggest difference between an intranet and Internet Web site is the scope of the network, certain other differences must be considered when developing content for your Internet or intranet Web site. Upcoming chapters cover the development of visually attractive Web pages, as well as covering interactive Web applications that run on both the Web browser and the Web server.


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