SAMPLE: AutoCtrl.exe - OLE Automation Controller Sample

AutoCtrl.exe demonstrates how to create an OLE automation controller.

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This OLE automation controller sample demonstrates how to create an OLE automation object and how to access its properties and methods.

Creating an Automation Object

[CreateObject() in file AUTOCTRL.CPP.]

The user is prompted for the ProgID of the automation object to be created. CLSIDFromProgID is used to obtain the CLSID of the object; CoCreateInstance is used to create the object.

Accessing Properties and Methods

IDispatch::GetIDsOfNames is used to obtain the ID of the property or method to be accessed; IDispatch::Invoke is used to access the property or method. This controller prompts the user for the locale ID; however, many controllers such as Visual Basic use the default system locale ID.

Setting a Property

[See SetProperty() in AUTOCTRL.CPP.]

The user is prompted for the property name, property value, property type and locale ID. This controller supports three types: VT_BSTR, VT_I2 and VT_R4. Setting the property requires an implicit named parameter, which represents the new value of the property. The DISPID of this implicit named parameter is DISPID_PROPERTYPUT.

Getting a Property

[See GetProperty() in AUTOCTRL.CPP.]

The user is prompted for the property name, property type, and locale ID.

Invoking a Method

[See InvokeMethod() in AUTOCTRL.CPP.]

The user is prompted for the method name and the locale ID. This controller supports only methods without parameters.