COM automation

A particular usage of Microsoft's COM-based component software architecture that lets applications expose their internal functions as COM objects. Called "automation" or "OLE automation," it enables tasks that are normally selected from menus to be automatically executed. For example, a small script could be written to extract data from a database, put it into a spreadsheet, summarize and chart it, all without manual intervention.

Virtually any internal routine can be written as a COM object and its interfaces exposed to other programs. Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel are written as COM objects, and not only do they allow their functions to be automated, but they offer programmers a toolbox of functions that can save them the time and effort of writing similar routines themselves.

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Early OLE development resulted in another important technology: OLE Automation. Since its early development, OLE Automation has been heavily productized, establishing the first concepts of object brokering and publishing over the network for PC-to-server computing.

OLE Automation provides an enabling technology for data and process communication that does not burden the network or client delivering the process.

OLE Automation enables dynamic linking, the ability to connect business processes as they become necessary to deliver user information within an application.

Second, OLE Automation provides a framework to set a standard for the Common Object Model (COM), enabling users to create building blocks for application development and code that can be reusable.

Move to the networked model with OLE Automation, DCOM

"For example, a manufacturer with a standard product line could use OLE Automation to put together a parametrically driven system for use by salespeople in the field," he added.

"With OLE Automation, all you need to know is something like Visual Basic or Visual C++, which offer open programming environments," Corbridge said.

Customer-driven product delivery

A version with Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition is also available, combining the power and ease of use of the Macro Scheduler script engine (MacroScript) with the popular syntax of VBScript, and allowing increased flexibility and advanced OLE automation.

MACRO SCHEDULER 7.0 AUTOMATES WINDOWS TASKS/RECORDS/MACROS

Additionally OLE automation and support for Active X controls provides for totally extensible applications.

* OLE Automation and Active X support has been added

ALPHA FIVE VERSION 5 WINDOWS DATABASE LAUNCHED

A version with Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition is also available, combining the power and ease of use of the Macro Scheduler script engine with the popular syntax of VBScript and allowing increased flexibility and advanced OLE automation.

MJT RELEASES 5.0 VERSION OF MACRO SCHEDULER