Re: Exposing object model to applications

hi Rob

thanks for including BHOs.  We had looked at this technique before
launching development of the HelpDB application, and decided to go
out-of-process with the HelpDB approach.  We have been very
satisfied with the out-of-process COM/DOM approach to date, but then
we aren't doing perhaps everything some specific tool or AT might
require.

Recently however, I've had to relook at BHOs for a more immediate
request.

Mark


At 7:42 AM -0700 4/14/99, Rob Relyea wrote:
>RR: Write a description of how a browser could expose its internal object
>model to other processes including the ability to run a module of the AT to
>run in the process.
>
>A browser can expose its internal object to applications throught several
>methods.  We are finalizing the method that we will let applications
>communicate directly with Internet Explorer's object model.  As soon as the
>application to application method is finalized, I will send details.
>
>We already have a way for an AT developer to have a module of their code run
>inside of IE's process:
>Internet Explorer allows software developers to have their code executed
>inside of the browser's process.  This can be tremendously helpful when many
>method calls need to be made to IE, as each call will be performed much more
>quickly than the out of process case.
>
>A technique to do this is already documented in our Knowledge Base.  Article
>Q179230.  This will work in IE4 and later.
>
>Excerpts from:
>http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q179/2/30.asp
>
>
>IEHelper-Attaching to IE4 using a Browser Helper Object
>
>SUMMARY
>In order to attach to a running instance of Internet Explorer 4.0, you can
>use a "Browser Helper Object." A "Browser Helper Object" is a DLL that will
>attach itself to every new instance of Internet Explorer 4.0. You can use
>this feature to gain access to the object model of a particular running
>instance of Internet Explorer. You can also use this feature to get events
>from an instance of Internet Explorer 4.0.
>
>This article also points to a sample that demonstrates how to implement a
>Browser Helper Object.
>
>MORE INFORMATION
>The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Software
>Library:
>IEHelper.exe (size: 39419 bytes)
>
>For more information about downloading files from the Microsoft Software
>Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
>
>   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
>   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services
>
>
>Browser Helper Objects
>When an instance of Internet Explorer 4.0 is started, it looks in the
>registry for CLSIDs stored under the following key:
>
>   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>       \CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
>
>If this key exists and there are CLSIDs listed under it, Internet Explorer
>will use CoCreateInstance() to try to create an instance of each object
>listed as a subkey under this key. Note that the CLSID of the object you
>create must be listed as a subkey and not a named value.
>
>For example, imagine that the following entry exists in the registry,
>HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper
>Objects\{CE7C3CF0-4B15-11D1-ABED-709549C10000}. Internet Explorer will try
>to create an instance of the object pointed to by the CLSID {CE7C3CF0-4B15-
>11D1-ABED-709549C10000} each time Internet Explorer starts.
>
>These registry keys can be created manually or through the self registration
>portion of your COM application.
>
>There are some requirements when creating a Browser Helper Object
>
>* The application that you create must be an in-proc server (that is, DLL).
>* This DLL must implement IObjectWithSite.
>* The IObjectWithSite::SetSite() method must be implemented. It is through
>this method that your application receives a pointer to Internet Explorer's
>IUnknown. (Internet Explorer actually passes a pointer to IWebBrowser2 but
>the implementation of SetSite() receives a pointer to IUnknown.) You can use
>this IUnknown pointer to automate Internet Explorer or to sink events from
>Internet Explorer.
>* It must be registered as a Browser Helper Object as described above.
>
>WARNING: Internet Explorer will create an instance of each Browser Helper
>Object listed in the registry every time a new instance of Internet Explorer
>is started. This means that if you have Active Desktop installed, the
>Browser Helper Objects will be loaded every time you open a new folder as
>well as when the browser itself is started.
>(c) Microsoft Corporation 1998, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Scott
>Roberts, Microsoft Corporation
>
>
>Last Reviewed: February 16, 1998
>) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.
>Article ID: Q179230
>
>Last Reviewed:
>February 16, 1998
>
>Provided by Support Online from Microsoft Product Support Services.

Received on Wednesday, 14 April 1999 16:13:21 UTC