Copyright 1994 by Sams Publishing
SECOND EDITION
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. For information, address Sams Publishing, a division of Prentice Hall Computer Publishing, 201 W. 103rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46290.
International Standard Book Number: 0-672-30510-0
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-65313
97 96 95 94 4 3 2
Interpretation of the printing code: the rightmost double-digit number is the year of the books printing; the rightmost single digit, the number of the books printing. For example, a printing code of 94-1 shows that the first printing of the book occurred in 1994.
Composed in AGaramond and MCPdigital by Prentice Hall Computer Publishing
Printed in the United States of America
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Publisher
Richard K. Swadley
Associate Publisher
Jordan Gold
Acquisitions Manager
Stacy Hiquet
Managing Editor
Cindy Morrow
Acquisitions Editor
Stacy Hiquet
Development Editor
Dean Miller
Production Editor
Mary Inderstrodt
Copy Editor
Matt Usher
Editorial and Graphics Coordinator
Bill Whitmer
Editorial Assistants
Carol Ackerman
Sharon Cox
Lynette Quinn
Technical Reviewer
Gary Farrar
Marketing Manager
Gregg Bushyeager
Cover Designer
Tim Amrhein
Inside Illustrator
Gary Varvel
Director of Production and Manufacturing
Jeff Valler
Imprint Manager
Juli Cook
Manufacturing Coordinator
Paul Gilchrist
Book Designer
Michele Laseau
Production Analyst
Mary Beth Wakefield
Proofreading Coordinator
Joelynn Gifford
Indexing Coordinator
Johnna Van Hoose
Graphics Image Specialists
Tim Montgomery
Dennis Sheehan
Sue VandeWalle
Production
Juli Cook
Terri Edwards
Rich Evers
Greg Kemp
Jamie Milazzo
Shelly Palma
Chad Poore
Casey Price
Ryan Rader
Kris Simmons
Tonya R. Simpson
Ann Sippel
S.A. Springer
Bobbi Sutterfield
Dennis Wesner
For Chris Fellers: Your help with my first book led to more than 25 more. Thanks for the encouragement when I needed it.
Overview
Acknowledgments
My thanks go to all my friends at Sams Publishing. Most writers would refer to them as editors; to me they are friends. The acquisitions editor for the majority of my books, Stacy Hiquet, specializes in kindness and patience. Mary Inderstrodt and Matt Usher turn my questionable work into award-winning copy. Dean Miller and Gary Farrar helped developed this manuscript into something for everyone, and they managed to maintain accuracy where I failed miserably. Last but not least, Richard Swadley, the big chief who gives all the grief, deserves the final credit for the success of every book from Sams. Richards initial direction for every book seems to hit the bullseye, and he knows exactly what the audience needs and wants.
I want all my readers to understand this: The people at Sams Publishing care about you most of all. The things they do result from their concern for your knowledge and enjoyment.
On a more personal note, my beautiful bride Jayne, my proud parents Glen and Bettye Perry, and my friends, who wonder how I find the time to write, all deserve credit for supporting my need to write.
About the Author
Greg Perry is a speaker and writer in both the programming and applications sides of computing. He is known for bringing programming topics down to the beginners level. Perry has been a programmer and trainer for the past 16 years. He received his first degree in computer science, and then he received a Masters degree in corporate finance. Besides writing, he consults and lectures across the country, including at the acclaimed Software Development programming conferences. Perry is the author of more than 25 other computer books, including