A comprehensive introduction to the underlying technologies of e-commerce. This book explores the full range of technologies, protocols, and techniques necessary for building successful e-commerce sites. The authors begin with an overview of the Internet and the Web, then quickly move on to explain server-side programming techniques, cryptography and Internet security, and how to take advantage of leading-edge technologies such as mobile agents, WAP, XML, and data mining tools. Placing this technical know-how in business context, the authors then walk readers through actual e-commerce applications, from Internet payment systems to Web advertising and publishing. A running case study depicting a Virtual Book Store (VBS), step-by-step programming exercises, and real-world examples round out this highly practical, easily accessible guide.