Delphi COM Programming Study Note

in Theory:
 MyIntf := TMyIntf.create(10);
 MyIntf.AddRef;
 MyIntf.DoSth;
 MyIntf.Release;

in delphi:
 MyIntf := TMyIntf.create(10);
 MyIntf.DoSth;
 //do not call MyIntf.Free

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All In-Process COM Server export 4 functions:
DllRegisterServer:
 call by IDE' menu item "Run" -> "Register ActiveX Server" or
 Window command "RegSrv32.exe <Server Name>"
DllUnRegisterServer: reverse process of DllRegisterServer
 call by IDE' menu item "Run" -> "UnRegister ActiveX Server" or
 Window command "RegSrv32.exe -u <Server Name>"
DllGetClassObject: get the class factory
DllCanUnloadNow:

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Create In-Process COM Server DLL (A Project)
----------------
"File" -> "New" -> "ActiveX" -> "Activex Library" Item

Create COM Object (A COM Class)
----------------
"File" -> "New" -> "ActiveX" -> "COM Object" Item

Register(if you add dll in dcomcnfg.exe explorer, then you add a DCOM)
----------------
"File" -> "Run" -> "Register ActiveX Server" or
 Window command "RegSrv32.exe <Server Name>"

Create Client Application (uses the COM unit directly!!! sometimes this is unapplicable)
----------------
include COM object interface file, and you can create com object

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Type Library (need not uses COM unit directly) .TLB (a replacement tool for IDL)
----------------
if you add Type Library support in COM wizard, you inherited from TTypedComObject instead of TComObject

out-of-process need marshaling (in-process need not)
----------------

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two method to create variant array: VarArrayCreate(more flexible) and VarArrayOf
--------------------------------
define an variant array with size 10 and type integer: VarArrayCreate([1, 10], varInteger);
define mix type variant array in compile time: VarArrayOf(["John", 0, "Manager", 30000]);//seems like record

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Early Binding
====================================
var
 MyIntf: IMyIntf;
begin
 MyIntf := IMyIntf.create(10);
 MyIntf.DoSomething;

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Late Binding (Automation)
====================================
Get Type Library Information (IDispatch), used for Late Binding
----------------
var
 v: Variant;
  s: WideString;
begin
 //create a ActiveX Library(auto_svr1.dpr), add a automation object (AutoHello), you get a automation server
 v := CreateOleObject('auto_svr1.AutoHello');
 v.Add(87, s);
 ShowMessage(s);

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DCOM require out-of-process automation server

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Import type library (Early Binding ??)