I'm new to programming with VB.NET and Novell...

Articles and Tips: qna

01 Oct 2003

I'm new to programming with VB.NET and Novell and I'm confused on a few issues.

First, since I'm just starting out, is it best to use the ActiveX libraries or use the VB library? I'm not sure what the advantages/disadvantages are for each, but I'm slowly getting a grasp of the ActiveX components.

Second, to use the VB library, it's my understanding that the Netware.txt file must be incorporated into the VB code in order to use those functions. How is this accomplished using VB.NET? Primarily, I would like to write applications that read, write, and create user information.

The benefit of the ActiveX controls is that they are simple to use. The benefit of the VB libraries is that they are fast, but complex to use since you are making direct calls into the Novell dlls, so you are operating at a lower level. Also, the VB libraries use NDAP (native Novell calls) APIs that rely on the Novell client. Although you can make direct DLL calls into LDAP libraries, there aren't any VB shims available for this, so you would have to write your own.

The ActiveX controls provide for either NDAP or LDAP. With LDAP access you wouldn't need a client to be installed locally.

For .Net, you also have the complexity of making the .dll calls from managed code. If you are operating purely on the directory, and not on the Novell NetWare file system, you might stick with LDAP ActiveX controls for ease of use. If you need to do something such as NetWare file rights/file access, then you would need to use the NDAP controls.

* Originally published in Novell AppNotes

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