Structured Storage

OLE Automation

OLE Automation is an OLE service for integrating development tools and applications. It enables an application to expose its functionality, or to control the functionality of other applications on the same computer or across networks. By using OLE Automation, applications can be automated and integrated with programming code.

Key elements of OLE Automation include:

  • Applications or software components called OLE Automation servers can be controlled because their functionality has been exposed and made accessible to other applications. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are examples of Microsoft OLE Automation servers. These OLE Automation servers expose their functionality through object models.
  • Other applications or development tools, called OLE Automation controllers, control OLE Automation servers through programming code by accessing the functionality exposed by the OLE Automation servers. Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual FoxPro, and Visual Basic for Applications (which is built into the Microsoft Office products and can be licensed for use in other products) are OLE Automation controllers.

OLE Automation is the umbrella term for the process by which an OLE Automation controller sends instructions to an OLE Automation server (using the functionality exposed by the OLE Automation server), where the instructions are executed.

Lesson Summary

OLE can be used to build compound documents and utilize the functionality of multiple applications. OLE compound document technology rests on a foundation of COM, structured storage, and uniform data transfer. A compound document object is a COM object that can be embedded in, or linked to, an existing document. OLE compound documents enable you to manipulate data from multiple sources and formats from within a single application.

OLE Automation enables an application to expose its functionality, or to control the functionality of other application on the same computer, or across networks.

OLE defines a model called structured storage, which treats a single file system as a structured collection of objects called storages and streams. Storages act as directories, and streams are analogous to files. Structured storage increases performance and reduces the overhead associated with storing objects separately in a flat file.



Microsoft Windows Architecture Training
Microsoft Windows Architecture for Developers Training Kit
ISBN: B00007FY9D
EAN: N/A
Year: 1998
Pages: 324

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