The book begins with a tour of UML basics such as case, class, activity, and sequence diagrams. It looks at today's iterative software development process and patterns and frameworks for better software reuse. The "framework" offered here uses Microsoft's Distributed iNternet Architecture (DNA) to create a three-tiered application using MTS on the middle tier in a case study for an order entry system.

Starting with requirements analysis, the book provides sample interviews from hypothetical users. This data is then used to construct use case diagrams. Then it's on to interaction, sequence, and collaboration diagrams. The sections on class design here are notably strong (with both the traditional CRC cards and UML class diagrams used to model classes). The later chapters of this book turn to implementing the system on Microsoft's DNA platform using ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) and Remote Data Service (RDS) for database access and Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) for scalable transactions.