Sending Component Data over a Network Interface

I am trying to write an application that will take information from components on a form and transmit them over a network to a client application that will replicate the information.

I am primarily looking at the Items part of a TTreeView Component and a custom array of custom record. Does anyone have any suggestions, code examples of how I might go about this.

Thanks in advance

Gordon ALLAN

Scott,

Thanks for the reply. As I understand it I would need DCOM to allow for control over the network. If I use the COM method.

I am currently using Delphi 5 Professional and can create the COM objects using resources that I currently have and I am looking at the books that you also suggested.

Am I right in thinking that for DCOM i would need an Enterprise version of Delphi to do DCOM development?

Thanks in advance

Gordon ALLAN

Well, there are a lot of ways to do this. The simplest way would be to define a common client/server database for both applications, and use a table for your custom record.



Another way to accomplish this would be to build one application as a COM server, and the other as a COM client, with your custom record fields defined in interface methods between them.



Still another way to accomplish this (without the database, but using a database technique) would be to build a DataSnap (MIDAS for you Delphi 5 folks) server-and-client relationship, and use a TClientDataset for your custom record. The TClientDataset could be pointed at a FileStream file in common between both applications.



As for "code examples", for any one of my suggestions above, they would be too voluminous for this message board. But examples of doing any one of these methods can be found in the majority of off-the-shelf Delphi books.



For recommendations, either the Teixiera/Pacheco "Delphi Developer's Guide" series, or Marco Cantu's "Mastering Delphi" series. Also, Cary Jensenn's "Kylix Programming Guide" has some excellent examples, and they translate straight-forward to Delphi.

Yes, whether you use Delphi 5 or 6, you would need the Enterprise version to use DCOM or MIDAS.