Using OLE Servers in Delphi 1.0

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Introduction

One of the best-kept programming secrets is that OLE Servers can be utilized from Delphi 1.0. All that is needed is a high-quality shareware component called TOleAutoClient. You can download this component from the bottom of this page.

If you do find this technique useful (and I'm sure you will) then be sure to register the control with the author. An order form and contact information is included in the download file. By the way, the author has no connection to Intuitive Data Solutions. We just like his product!

Overview

Here is an excerpt from TOleAutoClient's documentation which gives a good overview of the process:

Using the TOleAutoClient add-in component, turning your application into an OLE Automation controller is easy. Follow the simple instructions supplied to install the component on your Delphi component palette. Then use the easy-to-follow documentation and the working example programs to add code that activates an OLE Automation server. You can then set and retrieve the properties of the OLE Automation object and call its methods, just as you would properties and methods of one of your own objects.

Simple, right? After downloading the component and documentation, be sure to read the README.1ST file for a detailed step-by-step procedure for creating a mirror class that interfaces to the desired OLE Server.

Resources

• Download the TOleAutoClient add-in component (174k), along with documentation, examples, and ordering information.
• Download a partial mirror class for interfacing Delphi 1.0 to the IDSMail OLE server (2k) via TOleAutoClient.
• If you are considering moving to Delphi 2.0 for 32-bit development, OLE Servers can be accessed directly. Here is complete source code for a Delphi 2.0 Universal E-mail Client (10k) that utilizes the IDSMail OLE Server.