Features of CI Toolpak

All controls have a simple programming interface in which you set property values and call methods to perform the desired tasks. The methods (which generally do not take arguments) take the necessary data directly from the property settings, and submit the request to the server. When the server returns its response, the control parses the data. You can simply read the data from a property value or a ListBox object.

Ride the hottest wave in application development - using the skills you have now. Award-winning Crescent Internet ToolPak helps VB developers gear up to discover the infinite possibilities of Internet-enabling applications. With Crescent Internet ToolPak you can easily create applications that access the vast resources of the Internet - without Internet protocol expertise or low-level coding. Right from Visual Basic�. Tap into the World Wide Web. Connect to e-mail and messaging. Use RAS to dial up. Execute FTP file transfers. Crescent Internet ToolPak is your open door to the Internet! New Version 4.0 is better than ever with new components, IMAP4, TCP/IP Server, FTP proxy support, web form parsing, new demos, improved performance, and enhanced usability.

Crescent Internet ToolPak contains nineteen ActiveX components, more than two dozen sample programs, and comprehensive documentation to lead you step-by-step through creating applications that exploit the Internet. Individually, each control adds powerful communications functions to VB applications. Together they allow you to create sophisticated applications and utilities.

The two major components

1. FTP - 32 and 16 bit

The CIFTP component supports two types of methods. A low-level method performs a single function. A high-level method performs a complete task. In a single method call, a high level method performs the equivalent action of all the low-level methods necessary to complete a task, significantly reducing the amount of code that you must write. The high level methods use one line of code to get a file, put a file, and get a directory.

2. HTTP - 32 and 16 bit

The CIHTTP component enables Visual Basic programmers to write customized Web client applications. Client applications can retrieve text or binary data from a Web site, retrieve data about a page at the Web site, or post text to a Web site within an ActiveX container. The control can also be used to parse content as well as enhance the functionality of Web browsers.

Other CI components | click here |

Evaluation Comments

Advantages of CIFTP

Disadvantages of CIFTP

• Has the same layout as the windows WS_FTP.
• Uses a drag and drop technique to transfer files to and from both local and remote servers.
• A status bar is present to let users know what is goin on.
• When downloading/uploading files, the percentage of the file send/receive is soon.
• Users can also abort sending the files halfway if they want to.

• Allows users to only connect to FTP sites with anonnymous ids.
• Is not menu-driven compared to the Distinct VIT FTP.
• Users need to know the FTP address to enter before they can proceed with the transfer of files.
• FTP address once entered is not saved permanently when the user logs out and quits the program.

• Is both menu-driven and graphic-driven.
• Both servers can also be accessed.
• Status bar appears separately from the main window.
• FTP addresses can be saved under the option "Map FTP Servers".
• Allows users to connect directly to FTP sites either those with/without login name and password.
• Uses also the drag and drop technique.

• No disadvantages found.

Advantages of CIHTTP

Disadvantages of CIHTTP

• Has similar features as CIFTP Explorer except that it access and retrieves a specific servers webpages, not files.
• Is menu and graphic-driven.
• Can access to local drive and remote server at the same time.
• Status bar appears separately from the main window.
• URL addresses can be saved under the option "Map HTTP Servers".
• Uses also the drag and drop technique.

• No disadvantages found.

• Workable.
• Allows users to browse the website parsed.

• Do not understand the reason for creating this program.
• Not very user-friendly.

Overall Comments:

    On overall, this toolpak is very user-friendly and easy to use compared to the other 2 internet tools. It has features that allows users, both a beginner to an expert to utilize all it's function to the fullest. I will be using this as part of my project.