Survey: Any component recommendations?

[vbmom]

We are thinking about writing some client/server code, i.e. IPC communications, winsock, etc. We may need to write some using VB6, but also in .NET.

Does anyone here work with add-on components that they like that help do that work? Or can you name a company that might make them?

I'm not even sure what I'm asking. I envision adding a component to a project, plopping it on a form (or ref'ing it in a module) configuring some settings, running the program and having the thing either sit there and listen and respond to another thing that sits somewhere else and listens and responds. Maybe there are more than 2 of these things out there all talking to each other. That's my non-technical description, I hope you can appreciate it!

Thanks,
Gina
happy, merry, happy

[DigiRev]

running the program and having the thing either sit there and listen and respond to another thing that sits somewhere else and listens and responds.

I'm afraid you're going to have to be a little more specific than that. ;)

I usually write all my client/server code with Winsock. Or write my own components to do what I want. Once they're made I can use them in future projects without having to re-invent the wheel each time. This is the beauty of reusable code and OOP (Object Orientated Programming).

But the Winsock control is capable of doing most client/server tasks in TCP/IP and UDP.

You just need to tell us what you're trying to do.

[vbmom]

Thanks Digi. I don't know exactly yet what I'm trying to do. My boss asked me to come up with a wish list of prog tools to buy and to keep in mind he wants to write our own components that talk to each other.

Here's an example of what I think we might need: A service runs on computer-A that listens for messages from computer-B (or an authorized computer/IP/domain user), and might launch processes as well as return a response to computer-B. Pretty simple and yes, I have read about winsock and have experimented with it.

From what you're telling me, I guess then I am asking if there are any 3rd party controls that do what winsock does, only does it better.

[DigiRev]

Thanks Digi. I don't know exactly yet what I'm trying to do. My boss asked me to come up with a wish list of prog tools to buy and to keep in mind he wants to write our own components that talk to each other.

Here's an example of what I think we might need: A service runs on computer-A that listens for messages from computer-B (or an authorized computer/IP/domain user), and might launch processes as well as return a response to computer-B. Pretty simple and yes, I have read about winsock and have experimented with it.

From what you're telling me, I guess then I am asking if there are any 3rd party controls that do what winsock does, only does it better.

Nothing (to my knowledge) is better or easier to use than Winsock for what you're talking about.

I wrote a quick example for what you're talking about. Only spent a few minutes on it but hopefully it will help you out.

ServiceA - Run this on the computer that will be awaiting commands from the other computer.

ControllerB - Run this to send commands to ServiceA computer.

[the182guy]

In my opinion for VB6 the Winsock control is the best for comms, with the exception of the Winsock API.

For VB2005 try this component: it behaves just like a VB6 Winsock

http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/winsock2005.asp

[vbmom]

I came across this tool: Dart PowerTCP Server tool

http://www.programmers.com/ppi_us/Product.aspx?sku=D01%200136

This is the kind of thing I'm looking for.

(Hey, I didn't get an thread-update notification response from the last 2 posts today ??)


And thank you both for your examples and input!

Happy New Year. War no more.

[DigiRev]

If you want something like that then be prepared to dish out some money or spend a lot of time making your own.

While you could make one of those yourself using the Winsock control (or preferably the Winsock APIs), it would take a lot of work and time, especially if you're not too experienced.

It's $500 which seems high, but from the description it seems like it's loaded...FTP server, Proxy server, chat server, DNS server, etc. So I would say it'd be worth the $$$.