Using OLE Automation to Control Foreign Applications

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Using OLE Automation to Control Foreign
Applications

• Brian Watson
• Desktop EDA
• brian_at_desktop-eda.com.au
• www.desktop-eda.com.au
• 03 9481 2027

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Creating an OLE Automation Controller

• Launch Foreign Application
• Execute any commands OLE Server provides
• eg Word Macro commands
• All from your application

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Getting Started

• Delphi demo OleAuto\Autoctrl
• writes something from db into Word
• Use variable type Variant
• Call application commands via OLE object

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Sample Code
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3D Modelling Application

• Application API via OLE Automation
• Intitial Tests as easy as with Word
• Became complicated
• API use different for user use
• problems with offsets and rotations
• Needed Safe Arrays
• these allow passing data to and from application

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From This
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To This
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Summary

• Use for quick and easy interface
• Limited control
• Slow execution
• Use to prove concept before full committment