ActiveX type libraries are available for import only after they have been registered in the operating system registry of the workstation into which they are being imported, under the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\typelib. For details, see "Registering an ActiveX Server", later in this chapter.
For details about the default names generated by the ActiveX Import Wizard, see "
Before you can use an ActiveX type library registered in the operating system registry for your workstation, you must first import the definition of the ActiveX object into JADE. The ActiveX object definitions are contained in type libraries.
A type library can be a stand-alone file, usually with a .tlb extension, or it can be imbedded within the executable module (that is, the executable or library file). A type library can describe one object or more typically, multiple objects.
The ActiveX Import Wizard is a wizard-style dialog that consists of five steps, each represented by a sheet of the dialog. Use the Next > and < Back buttons to navigate forwards or backwards through the steps. No step is enabled until the previous step has been completed.
If a parameter does not specify [in], [out], or [in, out] and it is a reference when you import an ActiveX type library, JADE sets the parameter to [in, out].
To import an ActiveX type library
Select the ActiveX command from the Components menu. The Import submenu is then displayed.
Select the type library that you want to import, as follows.
Select the Control Library command if you want to import an ActiveX control object (a user interface object that implements a number of interfaces that support its use on forms).
Select the Automation Library command if you want to import an ActiveX automation object.
Both the Control Library and the Automation Library submenu commands invoke the ActiveX Import Wizard. The differences between these commands are the libraries that are displayed in the initial list of ActiveX type libraries and some minor differences in the code that is generated.
In addition, ActiveX control objects are generated as subclasses of the
The ActiveX Import Wizard is then displayed.
The ActiveX Import Wizard systematically guides you through the import process. When all of the information has been gathered, the wizard generates all of the required classes, properties, and methods that you need to access the ActiveX object from JADE.