Question on a COM project.

[Amit]

Hello group,

I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:

I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).

What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).

What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of it
COM+.

I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a project?

what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?

I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea or
if there is a better way to implement this project.

Regards,
Amit

 

[Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]]

Amit,

You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for Office
applications.

You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web first to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.

Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C# are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation. Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion, but it's
still doable.

Hope this helps.

 

[Amit]

Amit,

You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for Office
applications.

You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web first to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.

Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C# are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation. Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion, but it's
still doable.

Hope this helps.

--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,

I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:

I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).

What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).

What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of it
COM+.

I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a project?

what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?

I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea or
if there is a better way to implement this project.

Regards,
Amit

Hi Nicholas,

I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.

Any advice?

Sincerely,
Amit

 

[Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]]

Amit,

Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.

As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Inter...8408955?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178822065&sr=8-2

Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Compl...8408955?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178822104&sr=1-2


--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Amit,

You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for Office
applications.

You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.

Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C# are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion, but
it's
still doable.

Hope this helps.

--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,

I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:

I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).

What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).

What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of it
COM+.

I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a project?

what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?

I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea or
if there is a better way to implement this project.

Regards,
Amit

Hi Nicholas,

I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.

Any advice?

Sincerely,
Amit

 

[Amit]

Amit,

Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.

As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Interoperability-Recipes-Problem-Soluti...

Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Complete-Interoperability-Guide/dp/0672...

--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Amit,
You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for Office
applications.
You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.
Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C# are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion, but
it's
still doable.
Hope this helps.
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,
I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:
I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).
What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).
What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of it
COM+.
I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a project?
what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?
I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea or
if there is a better way to implement this project.
Regards,
Amit

Hi Nicholas,

I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.

Any advice?

Sincerely,
Amit

Nicholas,

One other thing, I checked Windows Registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\<ProgID>

There is no ProgID as Adobe PDF or something indicating that the
attachable Adobe plug-in is an Add-In.

Any comment?

Thanks also for the links and book you introduced me.



Regards,
Amit

 

[Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]]

Amit,

Try in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree. Plug ins for office are usually
there.

Amit,

Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.

As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach
(Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Interoperability-Recipes-Problem-Soluti...

Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:

http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Complete-Interoperability-Guide/dp/0672...

--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

On May 10, 11:13 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,

You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for
Office
applications.

You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web
first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.

Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C#
are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion,
but
it's
still doable.

Hope this helps.

Hello group,

I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:

I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in
your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe
PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).

What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).

What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of
it
COM+.

I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux
server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA
in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a
project?

what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?

I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea
or
if there is a better way to implement this project.

Hi Nicholas,

I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.

Any advice?

Sincerely,
Amit

Nicholas,

One other thing, I checked Windows Registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\<ProgID>

There is no ProgID as Adobe PDF or something indicating that the
attachable Adobe plug-in is an Add-In.

Any comment?

Thanks also for the links and book you introduced me.



Regards,
Amit

 

[Amit]

Amit,

Try in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree. Plug ins for office are usually
there.

Amit,
Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.
As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach
(Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Interoperability-Recipes-Problem-Soluti...
Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Complete-Interoperability-Guide/dp/0672...
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

On May 10, 11:13 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,
You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for
Office
applications.
You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web
first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.
Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C#
are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion,
but
it's
still doable.
Hope this helps.
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,
I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:
I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in
your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe
PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).
What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).
What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of
it
COM+.
I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux
server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA
in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a
project?
what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?
I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea
or
if there is a better way to implement this project.
Regards,
Amit
Hi Nicholas,
I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.
Any advice?
Sincerely,
Amit

Nicholas,

One other thing, I checked Windows Registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\<ProgID>

There is no ProgID as Adobe PDF or something indicating that the
attachable Adobe plug-in is an Add-In.

Any comment?

Thanks also for the links and book you introduced me.

Regards,
Amit

Nicholas,

Yes. you are RIGHT. Thanks indeed for your help.
Currently, I'm installing Visual Studio .NET and planning go thru
those books. However, if you don't mind I will asking you some
questions later.

Sincerely,
Amit

 

[Amit]

Amit,

Try in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree. Plug ins for office are usually
there.

news:[email protected]...

On May 10, 11:38 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,
Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.
As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach
(Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Interoperability-Recipes-Problem-Soluti...
Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Complete-Interoperability-Guide/dp/0672...
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

On May 10, 11:13 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,
You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for
Office
applications.
You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web
first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.
Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C#
are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion,
but
it's
still doable.
Hope this helps.
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,
I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:
I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in
your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe
PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).
What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).
What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of
it
COM+.
I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux
server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA
in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a
project?
what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?
I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea
or
if there is a better way to implement this project.
Regards,
Amit
Hi Nicholas,
I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.
Any advice?
Sincerely,
Amit
Nicholas,
One other thing, I checked Windows Registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\<ProgID>
There is no ProgID as Adobe PDF or something indicating that the
attachable Adobe plug-in is an Add-In.
Any comment?
Thanks also for the links and book you introduced me.
Regards,
Amit

Nicholas,

Yes. you are RIGHT. Thanks indeed for your help.
Currently, I'm installing Visual Studio .NET and planning go thru
those books. However, if you don't mind I will asking you some
questions later.

Sincerely,
Amit

Nicholas,

I did develop a COM client using VC++ 6.0 in 2000 but that was the
only thing I did and since then I've not touched it so by looking at
those links I think I have to start from a book which starts from
beginning. It is a long time that I have not touched it.

Right?

Any advice?

Regards,
Amit

 

[Amit]

Amit,
Try in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree. Plug ins for office are usually
there.

On May 10, 11:38 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,
Well, it depends on what kind of developer you are. If your native
environment is VC++, then that's probably where you are going to be most
productive. From what I have seen though, most people experience
productivity gains in .NET languages over VC++ to perform the same tasks.
As for a book for working with COM interop in .NET, I would recommend
".NET 2.0 Interoperability Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach
(Hardcover)"
by Bruce Bukovics:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-2-0-Interoperability-Recipes-Problem-Soluti...
Another book I would recommend is ".NET and COM: The Complete
Interoperability Guide (2 Volume Set)" by Adam Nathan:
http://www.amazon.com/NET-COM-Complete-Interoperability-Guide/dp/0672...
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

On May 10, 11:13 am, "Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]"
Amit,
You can use C#, VB.NET, VB6 or VC++ to create a COM add-in for
Office
applications.
You will want to do a search for "COM add-in office" on the web
first
to
grasp the basic concepts regarding writing a COM add-in for office.
Once you do that, if you decide you want to write a .NET
implementation,
you should follow up by reading about COM interop in .NET. VB and C#
are
pretty much going to do the same thing for you in either situation.
Using
VC++, it's going to be a little bit more of a hassle in my opinion,
but
it's
still doable.
Hope this helps.
--
- Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]
- (e-mail address removed)

Hello group,
I will appreciate it if you give me some advice on my question:
I am asked to write a program. This program is supposed to act as
"Adobe PDF" feature which some of you either have it or see it in
your
office products such as Word, Excel and ... It must get attached to
Excel or Word menu bar (after installation like PDF Write or Adobe
PDF
which in gives you features like file conversions and etc).
What is expected from this program in terms of functionality is
sending request to a web service and retrieving information from it.
The server side operation will be handled by calling a CGI file
(already written and being used).
What crosses my mind is COM programming or maybe the new version of
it
COM+.
I've written an application using VBA which inserts an menu to Excel
menu bar and thru some modules I call some cgi files on a linux
server
to request data and finally generate reports. Of course, using VBA
in
Excel has some limitations so now I'm thinking of using COM for this
project. Would you please tell me what do you think of such a
project?
what tools do I need? (C# / VC++ or VB?
I truly will appreciate it if you could give me some hints and idea
or
if there is a better way to implement this project.
Regards,
Amit
Hi Nicholas,
I truly appreciate your help. One thing I need to ask you here is what
makes it hard using VC++?
Does it require a special knowledge?
What book do you suggest I get started? currently I'm having a book on
my desk as "COM Programming by Example" written by John Swanke.
Any advice?
Sincerely,
Amit
Nicholas,
One other thing, I checked Windows Registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\<ProgID>
There is no ProgID as Adobe PDF or something indicating that the
attachable Adobe plug-in is an Add-In.
Any comment?
Thanks also for the links and book you introduced me.
Regards,
Amit

Nicholas,

Yes. you are RIGHT. Thanks indeed for your help.
Currently, I'm installing Visual Studio .NET and planning go thru
those books. However, if you don't mind I will asking you some
questions later.

Sincerely,
Amit

Nicholas,

I did develop a COM client using VC++ 6.0 in 2000 but that was the
only thing I did and since then I've not touched it so by looking at
those links I think I have to start from a book which starts from
beginning. It is a long time that I have not touched it.

Right?

Any advice?

Regards,Amit

Thanks indeed for your help.

Regards,
Amit