import IDL file in MFC project

[F.Mayis]

Hi,

I have a big MFC project, already using ocx's and exe server's where I use the #import function to include their methods.
The project is not in UNICODE this is a very simple MFC project, using some COM functionnality but only through SmartPointers or COleDispatch...

Now I need to include in this big project a new declaration of objects from an IDL file.
But just using midl to generate tlb file gives me lot of UNICODE things with wide char and so on and really no facilities to use it (looking through Internet shows that with .NET it is simpler)

Is it possible to generate from the idl file directly a tlh and tli that defines interfaces like importing an OCX with BSTR and stuff like that and the SmartPointer.

I have tried to use directly #import but of course it does not work.

It is to reduce the work of course ;-))

Please can someone help on that?


Thanks a lot

[Siddhartha]

Now I need to include in this big project a new declaration of objects from an IDL file.

IDL file contains only interface definitions - not objects.

IDL = Interface Definition Language

But just using midl to generate tlb file gives me lot of UNICODE things with wide char and so on and really no facilities to use it

What do you mean by "things"?

And, why are the things a problem?

Is it possible to generate from the idl file directly a tlh and tli that defines interfaces like importing an OCX with BSTR and stuff like that and the SmartPointer.

You need to get these from a Type Library, and not from an IDL.

Compile IDL --> Get TLB 

#import "TLB" --> Use Interfaces

And...

I have tried to use directly #import but of course it does not work.

Where did you do this? Post code.

[F.Mayis]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick answer

And in fact I think I have it.
I have generated from the idl files the TLB.
Then just done an import of these TLB files and it seems to work.

Exactly as you say in your post.

Thanks again

[Siddhartha]

Great... Using the TLB is the correct way to access a COM Server...

[Siddhartha]

On a related note, it is possible to import an external IDL in a project's IDL, like this -

import "ServersIDL.idl";

...In the Project's IDL File.

However, this creates a strong bind between the Server and Client, and must be avoided to the extent possible.

[F.Mayis]

thanks for the precision

[Siddhartha]

You are welcome...