INF: Sharing Windows Applications Across Networks

ID Number: Q74890

3.00

WINDOWS

Summary:

When writing Windows applications that may be placed on a network, it

is necessary to consider the demands of the DOS SHARE utility and of

the network when designing the application.

If the application is written to conform to the normal DOS INT 21H

protocol and the network supports shared access, then the application

will run properly. Most network vendors implement some kind of file

sharing system that handles multiple files accessed across the

network.

In many cases, network applications are not tested properly. It is

necessary to test the worst-case scenario, where the same file is

opened by more than one workstation simultaneously and manipulated

using standard file I/O instructions (read, write, close, and so

forth).

When the DOS SHARE utility is run from a workstation, only the files

on that workstation are shared. However, if SHARE is not run on the

network server, applications will encounter problems. All Microsoft

LAN Manager servers load SHARE so that file sharing is virtually

transparent to the user. It is the user's responsibility to verify the

network's implementation of shared files.

The "IBM DOS Technical Reference" shows the normal file operations

table. This should be used as the guideline when network applications

are implemented.

Additional reference words: 3.00 networks share