Building Automated Trading Systems: With an Introduction to Visual C++.NET 2005 (Financial Market Technology)

Book Description

Over the next few years, the proprietary trading and hedge fund industries will migrate largely to automated trade selection and execution systems. Indeed, this is already happening. While several finance books provide C++ code for pricing derivatives and performing numerical calculations, none approaches the topic from a system design perspective. This book will be divided into two sectionsprogramming techniques and automated trading system ( ATS ) technologyand teach financial system design and development from the absolute ground up using Microsoft Visual C++.NET 2005. MS Visual C++.NET 2005 has been chosen as the implementation language primarily because most trading firms and large banks have developed and continue to develop their proprietary algorithms in ISO C++ and Visual C++.NET provides the greatest flexibility for incorporating these legacy algorithms into working systems. Furthermore, the .NET Framework and development environment provide the best libraries and tools for rapid development of trading systems.
The first section of the book explains Visual C++.NET 2005 in detail and focuses on the required programming knowledge for automated trading system development, including object oriented design, delegates and events, enumerations, random number generation, timing and timer objects, and data management with STL.NET and .NET collections. Furthermore, since most legacy code and modeling code in the financial markets is done in ISO C++, this book looks in depth at several advanced topics relating to managed/unmanaged/COM memory management and interoperability. Further, this book provides dozens of examples illustrating the use of database connectivity with ADO.NET and an extensive treatment of SQL and FIX and XML/FIXML. Advanced programming topics such as threading, sockets, as well as using C++.NET to connect to Excel are also discussed at length and supported by examples.
The second section of the book explains technological concerns and design concepts for automated trading systems. Specifically, chapters are devoted to handling real-time data feeds, managing orders in the exchange order book, position selection, and risk management. A .dll is included in the book that will emulate connection to a widely used industry API ( Trading Technologies, Inc.s XTAPI ) and provide ways to test position and order management algorithms. Design patterns are presented for market taking systems based upon technical analysis as well as for market making systems using intermarket spreads.
As all of the chapters revolve around computer programming for financial engineering and trading system development, this book will educate traders, financial engineers, quantitative analysts, students of quantitative finance and even experienced programmers on technological issues that revolve around development of financial applications in a Microsoft environment and the construction and implementation of real-time trading systems and tools.

* Teaches financial system design and development from the ground up using Microsoft Visual C++.NET 2005.
* Provides dozens of examples illustrating the programming approaches in the book
* Chapters are supported by screenshots, equations, sample Excel spreadsheets, programming code and interactive CDROM

Customer Reviews:

great book for wall street developers.......2007-06-29

Unlike some other comments about this book, the intended readers are serious developers who have not started or just begining to use .Net 2005 framework. That is why some readers do not like this book.

A pure programmer do not need to read this book.
A pure quant strategist do not need this book.
A network specialist do not need this book.

It is only good for the intended readers.

Excellent resource to build Automatic Trading Systems.......2007-04-22

I read some of the other reviews and was moved to write my own evaluation as those reviews were mistreating this book.

This book is NOT fiction nor is it a comprehensive reference on C++.Net. so for someone trying to read this book from cover to cover will not feel like adding much value. Also the title says it clearly that the book includes an introduction to VC++.Net (just want to stress that the book is not meant to teach you the language in and out)

The value in this book is to understand the typical challenges that financial trading systems offer and some really insightful examples on how to solve them. This book deals with everyday problems that any programmer will face when building his/her own trading system (Automated/semi-automated). There is a lot of good advice on Building Automatic Trading Systems all compiled into one resource.

Like I mentioned before the book is not a comprehensive reference on C++.Net(Use MSDN for that) and neither is it verbose, but simply a bridge between building trading systems and programming. The introduction to VC++.Net is a quick read even if you have no or basic programming skills and only serves as an introduction to the language with a quick reference of the concepts.

I love this book and appreciate some of the issues that it addresses. It also better prepared me for the job that I got after taking Professor Van Vliet's class and using this book for the same.

I recommend this book for all those developers (or beginners) who are dealing with financial markets and have the need to build ATS.

Excellent CONCISE Treatment of C++.Net.......2007-04-13

I feel I am qualified to review this book as I have been a student of Professor Van Vliet's at IIT-Chicago. I have taken his courses in ANSI C++,VB.Net,and developing automated trading systems using C++.Net. I took the course in C++.Net/Automated Trading Systems using the notes that were the basis for this book.

A few of the previous reviews were way off the mark in my opinion. One of Professor Van Vliet's strengths and approach to programming is to develop concepts through simple examples. In this book, as in all his classes, he gives small but complete programs to learn concepts. Most books, e.g. Deitel, introduce concepts with 2-3 page programs where you get lost in what you are trying to learn. Van Vliet emphasizes that programming is learned by doing, not just by reading. If you just plan to read the book and not actually implement the programs then maybe it's value is limited. But this is not how most people REALLY learn programming. You have to get your hands dirty.

Previous reviews are way off the mark in terms of substance as well. You just have to go to MSDN's documentation on C++.Net to see that Van Vliet includes a lot of helpful information that is hard to find in other books and on the NET. For example, for those who care to pay attention, he does an excellent treatment on how to get to methods in objects stored in hashtables and sorted lists. Almost all other discussions of hashtables use very primitive hashtables where you only store a key and a simple value (like an integer or string) . Van Vliet actually shows ways, for example, to create a Stock Class with all the attributes of a stock and then store the stock objects in a hashtable that would represent a portfolio. (this is not the example in the book but he clearly shows you how to do this). Then he shows you how to get at the methods using a dynamic cast or static cast (with the advent of generics in VS 2005 there are now even better ways in some instances).

To give further evidence of his building block approach and the substance in the book, Van Vliet towards the end of the book develops a single-threaded algorithmic trading system and then uses a producer-consumer semaphore model to show you how to create a multi-threaded algorithmic trading system. Where else can you find this in the literature? He even created his own API, Trader API, that is very similar to that of Trading Technologies's XTAPI, so programmers can learn how to connect and use an API.

Finally, through my study with Van Vliet I have been able to write multi-threaded trading programs using XTAPI, write a stat arb program for equity trading that searches a large database of equities, write technical trading systems, and write factor model programs for equity trading. In large part because of what I learned from Professor Van Vliet at IIT I have been able to be employed by a local hedge fund. Whenever I program his books are with me for reference purposes.

J.S. Haworth
April 2007

Unreadable...........2007-04-02

Strong regret that I spent 80$ on this book. The backcover said this book was suitable for people who wanted to learn c++.net with a focus on trading systems, however the intro to the language itself is very very light.

It starts directly with pages of code (that you can find on the cd...) explaining how to manage threads, processes, time etc etc.

I had the feeling that this book has no real beginning nor real ending and that chapters can be all mixed up, it won't change anything.
On the other side, I am maybe too beginner for it. Maybe this suitable for people who want to transfer their system from one language to c++.net.

Excellent book for beginners to intermediate develepers.......2007-03-23

I thought this was an excellent book for beginner and intermediate developers. It takes you through the building blocks necessary to create a fully functioning automated trading system. Especially useful for programmers in other languages that are looking to transfer their code to C++.net. I've have 7 years of experience in financial programming and many of the problems addressed in this book, I deal with on a daily basis.

Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System (Networking & Security Series)

Average customer rating:

Excellent guidance for outsourcing/distributed environment
A fine technical overview programmers will relish.
Excellent Book
A Software Assist to Communications.

Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System (Networking & Security Series)
Jamil Azher
Manufacturer: Charles River Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Certification Central | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Software Engineering with Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (Microsoft .NET Development Series)
Managing Projects with Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (Pro-Developer)
Professional Team Foundation Server
Professional Visual Studio 2005 Team System (Programmer to Programmer)
Essential Windows Workflow Foundation (Microsoft .NET Development Series)

ASIN: 1584504455

Book Description

In this era of globalization, outsourcing has emerged as a key strategy not only for achieving competitive advantage but also for survival. However, despite widespread adoption, there are few practical guidelines in the market regarding how to optimally manage outsourced projects. Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System teaches managers, developers, and SQA professionals how to successfully execute outsourced projects. Providing best practices guidelines based upon empirical experience of leading practitioners in the outsourcing industry, the book shows how to construct result-oriented development processes for mitigating execution risk, improving quality, and increasing efficiency. Using Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System as the underlying infrastructure, the book teaches how to customize development methodologies, integrate with MS Project and MS Outlook, embed real-time communication capabilities, manage source code and build process, run unit tests, create custom reports, and leverage the project portal. Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System is an essential IT reference for companies interested in effectively managing outsourced projects and reducing friction associated with globally distributed software development.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent guidance for outsourcing/distributed environment.......2007-06-05

Note: This review gives more importance to the processes than the other obvious benefits.

Who should read this book?
- On-site coordinators
- Off-shore managers
- Process managers/Product Managers
- Key people involved in distributed development/outsourcing.

Why this book is useful?
- This book can be used as a process guidance for outsourcing/distributed environment.
- This book clearly identifies the day to day issues of a distributed development environment and gives options on how to mitigate the risks.
- Explains all the possible options on how efficiently VSTS can be used.
- This is very useful not only for the teams using VSTS 2005, but also for any distributed development team as this clearly gives an idea of what processes should be in place. VSTS is an all-in-one tool which helps in making the life easier.
- For companies which do not prefer to use VSTS can also leverage from the processes clearly mentioned in the book and can achieve similar efficiency by using different free tools available in the market.
- The book has shown how to customize the VSTS to suit the specific need along with the code which is very handy and reduces a lot of effort in customizing.
- More importantly, this book is very handy and easily understood by techies and non-techies alike. Non-techies can understand the processes without getting into any technical details.
- Addresses the issues faced by bigger and smaller companies and bigger or smaller teams.

A fine technical overview programmers will relish........2006-11-05

Jamil Azher's GLOBAL OUTSOURCING WITH MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO 2005 TEAM SYSTEM tells how to manage outsourced projects using Visual Studio 2005, which engages developers, project managers and team leads alike. GLOBAL OUTSOURCING takes it examples from the real world also: it examines typical outsource management issues, applications, and problem-solving in a fine technical overview programmers will relish.

Excellent Book.......2006-08-30

Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System is an excellent book and informational resource. The format is easy to follow, intuitive, and simplifies gaining an understanding of both the concept of global outsourcing as well as the software.

A Software Assist to Communications........2006-08-23

This book is indeed about global outsourcing, but it deals with the outsourcing of software not athletic shoes or kitchen ware. Specifically, as you might guess from the title, it concentrates on the use of Microsoft's Team System version of Visual Studio 2005. Other Microsoft products such as Project and Excel from the Office suite are also shown as a part of an integrated management system.

There is little question tht outsourcing is here to stay. The cost savings are simply to great to be ignored. A programmer with a few years of experience in the US is paid an average of $55K, in India $15K, and in China $9K.

There is also no question that outsourcing brings its own problems in terms of management, control and especially communications. Many of these problems are specifically discussed in the book, and it goes on to show that the Microsoft tools can assist in these areas. The tools will not, of course, guarantee success but they may help to make a project a success.

Simulating Wireless Communication Systems: Practical Models In C++

Average customer rating:

Simulating Wireless Communication Systems: Practical Models In C++
C. Britton Rorabaugh
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall PTR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Wireless Networks | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Programming | Mobile & Wireless Computing | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Principles of Communication Systems Simulation with Wireless Applications
Contemporary Communication Systems Using MATLAB
Simulation of Communication Systems: Modeling, Methodology and Techniques (Information Technology: Transmission, Processing and Storage)
Simulation and Software Radio for Mobile Communications (The Artech House Universal Personal Communications Series)

ASIN: 0130222682

Average customer rating:

Oh no, not O'Reilly also!
Great COM/DCOM book, for experienced C++ programmers
Looking for a good DCOM book? Keep looking.
Great Book on a complicated topic.
Great Book

Learning DCOM
Thuan Thai
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Distributed Databases | Databases | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Networking | Microsoft | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Operating Systems | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | O'Reilly | By Publisher | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

COM/DCOM Unleashed (Unleashed Series)
Essential COM
Professional Dcom Programming
Inside Distributed Com (Mps)
Professional Dcom Application Development (Professional)

ASIN: 1565925815

Amazon.com

Written for the advanced C++ developer, Learning DCOM looks beyond wizard-generated code to teach you how you to build most of the C++ code yourself in order to create effective distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) components.

The book commences with a tour of distributed computing, from the early days of terminal emulation, to the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and onward to today's DCOM. The author includes a rich introduction to COM, from objects and built-in and custom interfaces to important concepts such as containment and aggregation. Though somewhat densely written, these chapters on the details of DCOM expose its real inner workings with standout material providing a full treatment of the different thread apartment models.

The second half of the book focuses on existing wizard-based code (using Visual C++ tools for the Active Template Library [ATL] and Microsoft Foundation Classes [MFC] COM components) starting with an ATL server-side optical character recognition (OCR) component. The author then presents client-side programming strategies for COM, far beyond tapping built-in Visual C++ capabilities, that incorporate custom template-based smart pointers for calling COM objects.

The book then turns to Web development where an OCR example is used within an Internet Explorer Web page. Sections on security demonstrate how to cooperate with Windows NT, as well as auditing and administrative options. Unfortunately, coverage of Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) is omitted here, arguably one of the most critical aspects of writing scalable Web applications. A final chapter on event handling (and connection points) shows off how to process events with distributed components.

Notable for its considerable technical depth and detail, Learning DCOM gives the advanced developer the inside track on creating state-of-the-art DCOM components. --Richard Dragan

Book Description

DCOM -- the Distributed Component Object Model -- is a recent upgrade of a time-honored and well-tested technology promoted by Microsoft for distributed object programming. Now that components are playing a larger and larger part in Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000, every Windows programmer will want to understand the technology. DCOM competes with CORBA as a rich and robust method for creating expandable and flexible components, allowing you to plug in new parts conveniently and upgrade without the need for code changes to every program that uses your component. This book introduces C++ programmers to DCOM and gives them the basic tools they need to write secure, maintainable programs. While using Visual C++ development tools and wizards where appropriate, the author never leaves the results up to magic. The C++ code used to create distributed components and the communications exchanged between systems and objects are described at a level where the reader understands their significance and can use the insights for such tasks as debugging and improving performance. The first few chapters explain both the remote procedure calls that underlie DCOM's communication and the way DCOM uses C++ classes. Readers become firmly grounded in the relation between components, classes, and objects, the ways objects are created and destroyed, how clients find servers, and the basics of security and threading. After giving you a grounding in how DCOM works, this book introduces you to the Microsoft tools that make it all easy. By showing what really happens each time you choose a button in a wizard, Learning DCOM makes it possible for you to choose what you need. This book is for anyone who wants to understand DCOM. While thoroughly practical in its goals, it doesn't stint on the background you need to make your programs safe, efficient, and easy to maintain. Topics include:

MIDL (Microsoft Interface Definition Language, the language for defining COM interfaces)
COM error and exception handling
Custom, dispatch, and dual interfaces
Standard and custom factories
Management of in-process versus out-of-process servers
Distributed memory management
Pragmatic explanation of the DCOM wire protocol
Standard, custom, handler, and automation marshaling
Multithreading and apartments
Security at the system configuration and programming level
Active Template Library (ATL), ATL wizards -- and what they don't do
Writing a component that can be invoked from Visual Basic
Techniques for using distributed components
Creating an ActiveX control and embedding it in a Web client
Authentication and the use of Windows NT security features
Techniques for merging marshaling code
Connection and distributed events management
An introduction to COM+ features

Customer Reviews:

Oh no, not O'Reilly also!.......2003-11-12

Micro$oft is famous for its ability to push out new development technologies. The reason behind this planned obsolesence is obvious, every time they come out with something new people will have to open their wallets to "keep up."

DCOM is just another disposable technology. As such, it was a complete failure; one that the marketing folks at M$ have tried to bury as quickly as possible under an avalanche of .NET hype.

DCOM was hard to port because, like COM, it is based on a binary standard (i.e. a standard that changes when you leave x86 and go to 64-bit RISC). Not only that, but DCOM doesn't support distributed transactions. Worst of all, DCOM is a very, very complicated technology to use. Three strikes... YOU'RE OUT!

The half-wit MBAs at Micro$oft realized their mistake and have abandoned DCOM, leaving it forever in the backwaters where the only record of its sorry existence are stupid books like this.

I have no idea why someone would want to buy this book. Folks, this is a dead technology. It is no more. It is an ex-techology. If you buy this book, you are lying to yourself. This book will sit an gather dust, unless you can find more productive uses for it...like burning it to stay warm.

To be honest, I'm a little let down that a Unix-ish publishing company like O'Reilly would put out a book like this. They must really be hurting for cash. I heard that the bank has not been very nice to them during the recent market downturn...

Great COM/DCOM book, for experienced C++ programmers.......2001-09-05

This book is a great source of information if you are interested in learning a complex topic such as DCOM. Be aware that this book requires you to have strong knowledge of C++, if you want to understand the examples. Although this is a great book, I'm still looking for other alternatives that will clarify the concepts of COM/DCOM in depth.

Looking for a good DCOM book? Keep looking........2001-04-06

Would you trust the technical expertise of a programmer who writes this:

if (g_hExitEvent == NULL) assert(false);

This book is replete with this and other nuggets of technical prowess.

The surrounding text is no better. Thai's English syntax is downright odd. His analogies are frequently tortured or nonsensical. All of this distracts the reader from the technical content.

There is high praise for that content from my predecessor reviewers, but I thought his presentation was haphazard and unenlightening.

I have found previous O'Reilly books quite good, but they did a very disappointing job on this one.

Great Book on a complicated topic........2000-08-17

This is a good book for C++ programmers wanting to learn com. This simplistic one language approach has made the book popular, since com is complicated enough without trying to briefly throw 3 programming languages at it. However, it will never be your only book on Com. Eventually you'll need to use your com objects from ASP or somewhere else (this is the purpose of com, binary reuse). This topic will also require a lot of study, and if your going to write com objects expect to spend a lot of time with this book open. I'm a programmer with 11 years experience. Com is one of the more complicated things I've encountered in my programming career. This book did have a few typo's (3 or 4 jumped out at me), however, they did not detract from the content. My first impression was that Don Box had the best book on Com I'd ever seen (I browsed it in Borders), but this book seemed equally as nice (and a few bucks cheaper).

I would have liked to see another another practical example (never enough).

Overall, an excellent book.

Great Book.......2000-05-23

I'm a beginner in DCOM and all I needed to know about DCOM is clearly explained in the book, no function, no parameter,... unexplained. There are few books as good as this one. This is my fist O'Reilly and Thai book, but I'm sure that not the last.

Average customer rating:

Helen fails to REFRESH an old topic
It is a little late for a book on DAO, is it not?
An excellent resource and reference book
I have yet to go wrong with an O'Reilly book.
More Reference than How-to Book

DAO Object Model: The Definitive Guide
Helen Feddema
Manufacturer: O'Reilly
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Databases | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Databases | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Operating Systems | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | O'Reilly | By Publisher | Books
Similar Items:

ADO : ActiveX Data Objects
Expert One-on-One Microsoft Access Application Development
VB and VBA in a Nutshell: The Languages
Access Cookbook, 2nd Edition
Access Database Design & Programming (3rd Edition)

ASIN: 1565924355

Book Description

Each iteration of Windows has meant a corresponding improvement in the techniques used for transferring data among its applications. Today's leading technique is called Automation. It allows you to work directly with objects in an application's interface using their object models. But if you want to write code in a programming language, such as Visual Basic, in order to work with the apps that support Automation, you must understand the inner workings of an application's object model--or in the case of Microsoft's Access, its *two* object models.

Microsoft Access is the bestselling stand-alone relational database program for Windows offering both power and ease of use. And in many respects, Microsoft has made Automation the centerpiece of its vision for application development. DAO Object Model: The Definitive Reference will guide you through the Access object models, allowing you, with the support of Automation, to reference the application components you want to manipulate. An understanding of the object models is essential for developers who work with data in Access tables, or who want to manipulate components of the Access interface from other Office apps. The Data Access Objects (DAO) model is used to write and read data in Access tables. The Access object model is used to manipulate forms, reports, queries, macros, and other components of the Access interface, including most of the commands by means of the DoCmd object.

This book will include an introduction and a brief description of the differences between VBA (used in most Office applications) and VBScript (used in Outlook). This chapter will also cover Office utilities and add-ons helpful in writing and debugging code, such as the Object Browser, the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for VBA and the Interactive Debugger for VBScript. The book will then be divided into two parts; one covering the Access Object Model and the other, the Data Access Objects. Each section will have a description of what the object represents; listings of properties, events, and methods; and one or more code samples illustrating its use in VBA and/or VBScript code. Each property, event, or method section will have an explanation of the language element, and many will have code samples (either VBA or VBScript) as well.

This book will detail, to an advanced user or keen intermediate user, the Access object models and how they are used. It will be *the* reference guide VB developers reach for when working with data in Access tables, or for manipulating components of the Access interface from other Office applications.

Customer Reviews:

Helen fails to REFRESH an old topic.......2000-05-15

This book does not serve its purpose as a definitive reference. I was able to read it cover to cover in an hour or so while sitting in an airport and found nothing remarkable - the striking part is that the book dismisses objects, methods and properties which the author does not understand or have experience with. REFRESH, for example (which is treated dismissively in the book) must be used in order to refresh a changed collection in a multi-user environment or update a collection in a rapidly changing single-user environment, or the field that you expected to be gone will still appear; or the table that you just built using DAO won't be in the collection.

I was disappointed that Oreilly allowed such a book to be published. I had concerns about the author's technical ability before the book was published. Oreilly should have had these same reservations.

It is a little late for a book on DAO, is it not?.......2000-03-10

We are certainly at a point where Microsoft would prefer for people to believe the DAO is in fact DOA (dead on arrival). While it is naive to believe every marketing nugget that comes out of Microsoft, a reference book on DAO at this point seems a little late, doesn't it? Sort of like if O'Reilly put out an OS/2 reference book tomorrow.

Once you get past the skepticism about the timing, the book itself has some issues. I perused it at the bookstore using my "10 minute rule" (browse the book for ten minutes, refuse to buy it if you find ten mistakes in that time). I will not give the exact count of mistakes I found, but I'll go so far as to say that it failed the test, and failed worse than any book in recent memory. I won't get into specifics since I am not Ms. Feddema's technical editor, but I'll tell you that if you decide to purchase the book, make sure you skip anything related to replication or security. Online help for DAO is far from perfect, but in this case help has fewer mistakes!

Moving past what is there that is wrong, there is much that is not covered that one would expect in anything titled a "definitive guide" such as this. None of the sort-of hidden methods that have been documented in places like the Jet Engine programmer's Guide and elsewhere (PrivDBEngine, ISAMStats, etc.) are even mentioned. It does not talk about any high end issues such as thread safety. It does not really discuss security in any usable way (and security is the one thing you will need DAO for if you still use it since ADO/ADOx don't do the job right now!). Transaction processing is not discussed in depth. VBScript is "covered" but since VBScript's best host is ASP, where DAO is not safe to use since it is not thread safe, this discussion is incomplete to say the least (I assume this discussion comes from Ms. Feddema's Outlook experience, but in general ADO is definitely the preferred VBScript data access method). My favorite Jet topic (replication) is "covered" but in an incorrect manner that will keep it from being useful.

The book ends up being a mediocre reiteration of basic DAO knowledge, and that is something that is in my opinion at least 30 months too late.

An excellent resource and reference book.......2000-03-08

To say that this book is useful is an understatement. It combines in one compact volume a complete and understandable reference to DAO which now never leaves my side (even a bedside read!). Most of the references are punctuated with code samples written in such a neat way that it makes my own coding look cumbersome and tortuous. The book is worth buying for the code examples alone. Helen's book is enabling me to write succinct, direct code and to expand my knowledge and use of the DAO object

I have yet to go wrong with an O'Reilly book........2000-03-03

O'Reilly needs to have a color of book for those books which fit between Nutshell books, and what I like to call the "learning books" (ie. "Access Database programming and design"). This book would be one of those books.

I don't think I could learn DAO from this book. I first realized DAO's potential from reading Steven Roman's Access Database Design & Programming. However, if you realize the capabilities of DAO and are ready to move on to the next level, then this is the book that you need. While the nutshell books are good "ticklers" (you just need to know the syntax), they don't go into a whole lot of depth. This is the book you need when you are thinking "there IS a way to program this, but what is it?". After you have mastered DAO, and just need a "tickler", then you can graduate to DAO in a Nutshell... whenever that comes out.

I have used this book many times when I knew that DAO could do the job, but, I needed a little bit more background info than just the syntax.

More Reference than How-to Book.......2000-02-14

This book covered the most I've seen on DAO. It does not cover ADO at all, but mentions that another book covering ADO is in the works. The book is really a reference book, listing out each and every command. It works best as a lookup for specific commands. If you need to learn DAO get another book, but once your into it and get into trouble, this book might just help.

Models of the Visual System (TOPICS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (Topics in Biomedical Engineering)

Average customer rating:

Models of the Visual System (TOPICS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (Topics in Biomedical Engineering)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Modeling & Simulation | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Neuropsychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Research | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Research | Medical | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Health, Mind & Body | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Medicine | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Professional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Science | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Medicine | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0306467151

Book Description

Over the past thirty years, with improvements in optics, electronics, and computer technology, great strides have been made in the quantitative analysis of the visual system. A number of books on eye movement research have been written that have dealt with specific aspects of either eye movement control. However, none of these books provide a comprehensive overview of multiple aspects of the visual system. Moreover, few of these books contain modeling and detailed quantitative analyses of the visual system. Further, since the major books are almost ten years old, there is a need for an update to include the most recent research findings. It is with these considerations in mind that we have carefully compiled this updated, comprehensive, and quantitative model-based edited book on various components of the visual system. Some of the best vision scientists in the world in their respective fields have contributed to chapters in this book. They have expertise in a wide variety of fields, including bioengineering, basic and clinical visual science, medicine, neurophysiology, optometry, and psychology. Their combined efforts have resulted in a high quality book that covers modeling and quantitative analysis of optical, neurosensory, oculomotor, perceptual and clinical systems. It includes only those techniques and models that have such fundamentally strong physiological, control system, and perceptual bases that they will serve as foundations for models and analysis techniques in the future. The book is aimed first towards seniors and beginning graduate students in biomedical engineering, neurophysiology, optometry, and psychology, who will gain a broad understanding of quantitative analysis of the visual system. In addition, it has sufficient depth in each area to be useful as an updated reference and tutorial for graduate and post-doctoral students, as well as general vision scientists.

Analysis and Design of Closed Loop Manufacturing Systems

Average customer rating:

Analysis and Design of Closed Loop Manufacturing Systems

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 142352487X

Product Description

This is a AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSONAFB OH report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A328893. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: This thesis introduces an approximation method for evaluating the performance of closed loop manufacturing systems with unreliable machines and finite buffers. The method involves transforming an arbitrary loop into one without thresholds and then evaluating the transformed loop using a new set of decomposition equations. It is more accurate than existing methods and is effective for a wider range of cases. The convergence reliability, and speed of the method are also discussed. In addition, observations are made on the behavior of closed loop systems under various conditions. Finally, the method is used in a case study to determine the in-process inventory required to meet a specified production rate for a system operating according to a CONWIP control policy.

An Analysis of Aircraft Weapon Systems Cost Growth and Implementation of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using a Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model

Average customer rating:

An Analysis of Aircraft Weapon Systems Cost Growth and Implementation of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using a Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 142351629X

Product Description

This is a AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A990324. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: This thesis examined cost growth in Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft weapon systems from 1991 to 2001 using Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) data with a hybrid adjusted cost growth (ACG) model. In addition, an analysis of acquisition reform initiatives during the treatment period was conducted to determine if reform efforts affected aircraft weapon system cost growth. A "pre-reform" (1 January 1991-31 December 1996) period and a "post reform" (1 January 1997-31 December 2001) period were subjectively developed to compare the mean annual ACG during each period for statistical differences. The hybrid ACG model outlined in this thesis may aid program managers and other interested parties in determining weapon systems cost growth, and the conclusion drawn from analyzing current acquisition initiatives may assist DoD leadership in assessing reform effectiveness on reducing cost growth. This research effort analyzed 78 SARs for 13 aircraft weapon systems that reported a Milestone II baseline during the treatment period. ACG calculations revealed that aircraft systems from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 2001 averaged a 40 percent cost growth annually. The acquisition reform analysis included 43 SARs from 11 programs during the pre-reform period and 35 SARs from 7 programs in the post- reform period. A small sample t-test was used to compare the annual means of the two periods. The t-test revealed that there was no significant difference between the annual average ACG for the pre-reform and post-reform periods.

Calibration and Validation of the COCOMO II.1997.0 Cost/Schedule Estimating Model to the Space and Missile Systems Center Database

Average customer rating:

Calibration and Validation of the COCOMO II.1997.0 Cost/Schedule Estimating Model to the Space and Missile Systems Center Database

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 1423582071

Product Description

This is a AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF LOGISTICS AND ACQUIS ITION MANAGEMENT report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A779923. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of COCOMO II. 1997.0, a software cost and schedule estimating model, using Magnitude of Relative Error, Mean Magnitude of Relative Error, Relative Root Mean Square, and a 25 percent Prediction Level. Effort estimates were completed using the model in default and in calibrated mode. Calibration was accomplished by dividing four stratified data sets into two random validation and calibration data sets using five times resampling. The accuracy results were poor; the best having an accuracy of only .3332 within 40 percent of the time in calibrated mode. It was found that homogeneous data is the key to producing the best results, and the model typically underestimates. The second part of this thesis was to try and improve upon the default mode estimates. This was accomplished by regressing the model estimates to the actual effort. Each original regression equation was transformed and tested for normality, equal variance, and significance. Overall, the results were promising; regression improved the accuracy in three of the four cases, the best having an accuracy of .2059 within 75 percent of the time.

Case Analysis of the U.S. Army Warfighting Rapid Acquisition Program: Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle - Enhanced Weapon System

Average customer rating:

Case Analysis of the U.S. Army Warfighting Rapid Acquisition Program: Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle - Enhanced Weapon System

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 1423574796

Product Description

This is a NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A127223. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: With the Department of Defense's budget continuing to be reduced, Army acquisition managers must acquire superior weapon systems within shorter time periods with less resources, One effective way to accomplish this with relatively small, urgently needed acquisition programs is through the Army's Warfighting Rapid Acquisition Program (WRAP). This thesis uses a case study of the Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle-Enhanced (BSFV-E) air defense system to determine the impact of the WRAP upon accelerated acquisition. WRAP transitions compelling US Army Training and Doctrine Command Battle Lab successes into rapid acquisition successes. Lessons learned from the BSFV-E case are identified which might be used by other acquisition managers to effectively manage programs which emerge as Battle Lab experimentation successes and are approved for rapid acquisition through the WRAP process. One lesson learned is that BSFV-E's streamlined acquisition process permitted a significant reduction in the administrative and procedural requirements which typically burden systems development. Also, this case study identified that lack of funding for WRAP programs such as the BSFV-E can potentially transform a rapid acquisition effort into a business-as-usual program. This study concludes that the BSFV-E is an excellent acquisition streamlining role model.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books