Re: Out of process AX-DLL (.exe) Help Needed

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When I am calling the AX-EXE what name am I calling? The .EXE
name.classname name (not!) or the Project Name.classname.
Must be project name.classname 'cause that works.


I think you're right, but personally I always name
the project and EXE the same in order to avoid
confusion. That makes it easier to remember ProgIDs
and it also makes it easier for others if the
component is distributed.

Dan Appleman's ActiveX book is one of the few
sources with good documentation.
http://pntpm3.ulb.ac.be/Info/Activex/

MS didn't seem to take ActiveX DLLs/EXEs very seriously,
though they are written up in MSDN. There's a sample
project of each. (Coffee and ThingDemo)

Need to study the object browser more. Probably would have seen that
there.
Where is this object browser writen up so a newbie can understand it? Any
books or whitepapers?


The object browser is a type library reader
that presents the data in a convenient way.
(As opposed to OleView, which just dumps
the raw typelib.) There's not particularly a
connection between understanding how
the object browser works and writing ActiveX
components, except inasmuch as that you can
see your component's object model in the object
browser. But if you want to know more about
it you can look for the help file tlbinf32.chm, which
covers the usage of tlbinf32.dll, which is an automation-
friendly library for use in VB to read type libraries.

Also see here for sample VB code that uses
oleaut32.dll directly to read type libraries.
www.jsware.net/jsware/vbcode.php5#tlbc

Oleaut32.dll is the system library ("OLE automation")
concerned with typelibs. Tlbinf32.dll is actually just
an unnecessary wrapper DLL around oleaut32.dll.

There's also some info. in Matthew Curland's
book, if you have that. And he included a type
library editor with the book's sample code.


"Ralph" wrote:


"Lorin" <Lorin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2BDB3BF7-7506-45C0-B617-50A52FD08026@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
VB6
Out of process AX-DLL (.exe)
Better Procedure Needed?

Sometimes I can hook up and sometimes not while doing development.
I try the following sequence...
Close all apps using the AX-DLL.
Work on the AX-DLL and compile(no errors, runs in IDE), close the IDE,
run
the AX-DLL to "register" (runs OK),

then close AX-DLL (closes OK).

Open the app (in the IDE) using the AX-DLL.
Reference reports missing AX-DLL even though it is there (probably be
cause
the interface has changed, which it has).
Cannot hook back up unless I uncheck the AX-DLL, close the IDE and
reopen,
then go find the AX-DLL and Check it again.

It show as checked but now the AX-DLL won't F2.
Says it can't find it even though checking in Reference agan says OK
(checked, not Missing).

There has got to be an easier way.
What steps am I doing wrong and what am I missing?

AX-DLL clsEntryPoint is set up as:
Name EntryPoint
DataBindingBehavior 0-vbNone
Instancing 5-Multiuse
Persistable 0-NotPersistable

Other classes in AX-DLL project are private


Binary Compatibility
http://www.vbsight.com/BinaryComp.htm

Also I'm a bit concerned that you keep using the term "AX-DLL (.exe)".
An
ActiveX Executable is not a Dll, it is an executable. They both use COM
protocols for providing a COM interface, but with an Executable we are
really talking about OLE Automation. ie, think Word, Excel, etc.

Recognizing this distinction will serve you better when you attempt to
control the life-cycle, resources, and behavior of the ActiveX
Executable.

hth
-ralph





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