How deeply does Building Distributed Applications that Work cover MCP?

Defines the relationship between MCP and agentic tool calling, but does not specify MCP configuration or protocol details in the supplied excerpt.

MCP

As explained in Building Distributed Applications that Work

Model Context Protocol is a protocol for connecting language-model applications with external tools, data sources, and capabilities through a standardized interface.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) provides a standardized way for language-model applications to connect to external tools and information. For a coding agent working with Aspire, that connection helps it retrieve current information instead of guessing at APIs that may have changed. section 10.4 section 10.4.3

MCP and agentic tool calling are related but distinct. Tool calling is the agent’s decision to take an action, inspect its result, and decide what to do next. An agent might read files, run tests, or execute commands as part of that loop. MCP is a protocol for connecting the agent to capabilities it can use. section 10.4.3

An Aspire integration workflow

Start an existing .NET solution with `aspire init`, then run `aspire run`. The dashboard is initially blank because no projects have been added. Leave it running while setting up MCP and the coding assistant to work on the existing application. section 10.4

How Building Distributed Applications that Work covers it

Cover of Building Distributed Applications that Work

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Also explained in

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Grokking AI ApplicationsThe Model Context Protocol is an open standard for discovering and invoking tools exposed by servers for use by AI applications and agents.
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AI Agents in Action, Second EditionThe Model Context Protocol is an open protocol for connecting AI applications and models with external tools, data sources, and contextual resources.
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Build AI-Enhanced Web AppsA standardized protocol for connecting AI applications and agents with externally provided tools, prompts, resources, and data sources.
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Build an AI Agent (From Scratch)Model Context Protocol is an open protocol that standardizes how AI applications connect to tools, prompts, resources, and external services.
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AI Agents and ApplicationsThe Model Context Protocol is a standard protocol for services to expose tools that AI applications can discover and access.
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Architecting an Apache Iceberg LakehouseThe Model Context Protocol is a standardized protocol that lets large language models interact with external data, tools, and services through governed calls.
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Building Reliable AI SystemsA protocol for connecting AI applications and agents to external data sources and tools.
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Financial AI in PracticeMCP is a protocol for standardizing how AI models or agents interact with external tools and data sources.
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Spring AI in ActionThe Model Context Protocol is an open protocol for connecting AI applications with external tools and sources of contextual information.
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Investing for ProgrammersA model context protocol is a standardized interface that lets AI agents connect to external data sources and retrieve data in a consistent format.
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Introduction to Generative AI, Second EditionThe Model Context Protocol is an open standard for secure, two-way connections between external data sources, services, and AI-powered tools.
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Authorization in ActionModel Context Protocol is a standard protocol for connecting AI applications to external tools and data sources.
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Building LLM Applications with DSPyModel Context Protocol is a standard protocol for connecting language-model applications with external tools and data sources.

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Related concepts

toolconfigures · A tool is an instrument or software capability that enables a person or system to perform a task, obtain information, or interact with resources.
contractcontrasts with · An API contract is a specification of the operations, data, and behavioral expectations that govern interactions between software components.
A2Acontrasts with · A2A is an interoperability protocol that enables software agents to discover, communicate, and coordinate with one another across systems.
client-server architectureuses · A distributed computing pattern in which clients request services or resources from servers, which process the requests and provide results.
N×M integration problemaddresses · The N×M integration problem is the growth in custom integrations that results when each of N applications must connect independently to each of M external systems or providers.
schemauses · A data schema is a formal specification of the structure, fields, types, relationships, and constraints of data.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Building Distributed Applications that Work. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.