Re: distributing a COM library/server for use by other folks for C++

From:
"Igor Tandetnik" <itandetnik@mvps.org>
Newsgroups:
microsoft.public.vc.atl
Date:
Thu, 29 Jun 2006 18:25:32 -0400
Message-ID:
<OM2Jxr8mGHA.1760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl>
Jason S <jmsachs@gmail.com> wrote:

hmm, #import doesn't seem to take IDL as an input (maybe I'm using it
wrong).


#import needs a type library, either standalone in a .TLB file or bound
to DLL or EXE.

If I have any non-Automation-compatible interfaces does that mean I
can still use #import but not for those interfaces, or will #import
just fail altogether?


Non-automation compatible interfaces should not be put into a type
library in the first place. TLB format cannot represent all the subtle
details, so in worst case #import will (appear to) work but generate
headers that don't match the original interfaces.

For non-automation interfaces, distribute IDL and possibly .H files.

I think I'm missing the build process if you
have client Project A which uses an IDL from Project B to interface
correctly. If Project A is just a COM client, not a server, & doesn't
have its own IDL file, what do I do with B's IDL file to build A so
that it uses B's interface correctly?


Compile the IDL to generate .h and _i.c file, #include the former
wherever needed, add the latter to the project.
--
With best wishes,
    Igor Tandetnik

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necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are going to
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