## Preface

### Overview

The OSF DCE Application Development Reference provides complete and detailed reference information to help application programmers use the correct syntax for Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) calls when writing UNIX applications for a distributed computing environment.

Audience
This document is written for application programmers who want to write Distributed Computing Environment applications for a UNIX environment.

Applicability
This revision applies to the OSF® DCE Release 1.2.2 offering and related updates. See your software license for details.

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to assist application programmers when writing UNIX applications for a distributed computing environment. After reading this manual, application programmers should be able to use the correct syntax for DCE calls.

Document Usage
This document is organized into four main topics.

· DCE Routines

· DCE Remote Procedure Call

· DCE Distributed Time Service

· DCE Security Service

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### Related Documents

For additional information about the Distributed Computing Environment, refer to the following documents:

· Introduction to OSF DCE

· OSF DCE Command Reference

· OSF DCE Administration Guide - Introduction

· OSF DCE Administration Guide - Core Components

· OSF DCE DFS Administration Guide and Reference

· OSF DCE GDS Administration Guide and Reference

· OSF DCE Application Development Guide - Introduction and Style Guide

· OSF DCE Application Development Guide - Core Components

· OSF DCE Application Development Guide - Directory Services

· OSF DCE/File-Access Administration Guide and Reference

· OSF DCE/File-Access User's Guide

· OSF DCE Problem Determination Guide

· OSF DCE Testing Guide

· OSF DCE/File-Access FVT User's Guide

· Application Environment Specification/Distributed Computing

· OSF DCE Release Notes

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### Typographic and Keying Conventions

This guide uses the following typographic conventions:

Bold | Bold words or characters represent system elements that you must use literally, such as commands, options, and path names.
Italic | Italic words or characters represent variable values that you must supply.
Constant width | Examples and information that the system displays appear in constant width typeface.
[ ] | Brackets enclose optional items in format and syntax descriptions.
{ } | Braces enclose a list from which you must choose an item in format and syntax descriptions.
| | A vertical bar separates items in a list of choices.
< > | Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the keyboard.
... | Horizontal ellipsis points indicate that you can repeat the preceding item one or more times.

This guide uses the following keying conventions:

<Ctrl-x> or ^x | The notation <Ctrl -x > or ^x followed by the name of a key indicates a control character sequence. For example, <Ctrl-C> means that you hold down the control key while pressing <C>.
<Return> | The notation <Return> refers to the key on your terminal or workstation that is labeled with the word Return or Enter, or with a left arrow.

### Path Names of Directories and Files in DCE Documentation

For a list of the path names for directories and files referred to in this guide, see the OSF DCE Administration Guide - Introduction and the OSF DCE Testing Guide.

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### Problem Reporting

If you have any problems with the software or documentation, please contact your software vendor's customer service department.

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