ActiveX DLL Functions

Jeff Barnes · Post by **Jeff Barnes** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:15 am

James,

If I check with OleView it is listed under "Type Libraries"

Jeff

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:50 am

Jeff,

It does not look as an ActiveX control. I thought it was a DLL to be used with OLE automation, but after some tests I think it is an ActiveX library (it provides an activex interface, but no a visual control interface).

I got the provided EXE running, but it gives an error when pressing the "Get Version" button. Don't know if it should work ok without the hardware. Could you ask the manufacturer about this ?

I am trying on Vista 32. Now I am going to try on XP.

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:17 am

Jeff,

Same error on XP when pressing the "Get Version" button, testing their provided EXE.

Please contact the manufacturer about it, thanks

Jeff Barnes · Post by **Jeff Barnes** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:25 pm

Antonio,

The "Get Version" does require the hardware to be connected.

Jeff Barnes · Post by **Jeff Barnes** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:26 pm

Antonio,

Is it possible to use an ActiveX Library with FWH?

Is yes, how would I make a call to the functions inside the DLL?

Thanks,

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:01 pm

Jeff,

> Is it possible to use an ActiveX Library with FWH?

We have never tested it before and it seems as something goes wrong

We have tried to build a test with Borland C++ builder, using your DLL, but we can't get it working too

We keep doing tests

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:47 pm

Jeff,

Couldn't you ask the manufacturer if they could provide you a plain standard DLL with exported functions, not an ActiveX one ?

Jeff Barnes · Post by **Jeff Barnes** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:23 pm

I just sent them an email.

Enrico had mentioned in another post:
"As far as I know, you can't return a string from a DLL function"

These are communication functions that need feedback from the device.

Will a standard DLL work?

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:51 pm

Jeff,

>
Enrico had mentioned in another post:
"As far as I know, you can't return a string from a DLL function"
>

You can do it using a GlobalAlloc() chunk of memory, that the DLL client will free later on

> Will a standard DLL work?

Yes, why not ?

Jeff Barnes · Post by **Jeff Barnes** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:50 pm

Antonio,

Here is the reply from the manufacturer

>>
our DLL files are in Visual Basic or ActiveX DLL as you described. We are presently not working in "C" code. You might be able to try installing MSI and this might assist you.
<<

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 3:37 pm

Jeff,

ok, thanks for the info. We are going to do some tests with VB

Post by **Antonio Linares** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:17 pm

Jeff,

We are unable to build and run their sample using Visual Basic Express(free from Microsoft).

Do they expect that their users will just use the latest Visual Basic version ? They should consider to deliver a standard C DLL so everyone can use it, not just Visual Basic users