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:
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.
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.