HOWTO: Create and Use a Minimal ActiveX Component in VB5

• Microsoft Visual Basic Learning, Professional, and Enterprise Editions for Windows, version 5.0

SUMMARY

Visual Basic version 5.0 features the ability to create ActiveX Components. This article illustrates how to create a minimal ActiveX Component and use it from a minimal Automation Controller. This article does not exercise the full functionality of ActiveX Components. It is intended to help you write your first ActiveX Component.

MORE INFORMATION

Step One: Create the Server

1. Start a new project in Visual Basic. Choose either ActiveX EXE or ActiveX DLL.

2. From the Project Menu, choose Add Module, then Module.

3. Type the following code in the General Declarations section of Module1:

         Sub Main ()
   
      NOTE: End Sub will be added automatically for you.
   
   

4. Add the following code to the General Declaration section of Class1:

         Public MyString As String
   

         Public Function MyFunction() As String
            MyFunction = "You never know what you're gonna get."
         End Function
   
         Public Sub Class_Initialize()
            MyString = "Life is like a box of chocolates."
         End Sub
   
   

5. In the Properties window for Class1, set the following property:

       Property      Value
       ------------------------------------
       Instancing    5 - MultiUse
   
   

6. From the Project menu, choose Project1 Properties. Under the General Tab, choose Sub Main from Startup Object list and click OK.

7. Start the program by choosing Start from the Run menu or by pressing the F5 key.

   You now have a complete (though limited) OLE automation server. Later, you can choose Make Project1 EXE or Make Project1 DLL from the File menu to create an ActiveX component that can be used without having to run the project. Now you're ready to automate your server.

8. Minimize Visual Basic.

Step Two: Create a Client to Access the Server

1. Start a second copy of Visual Basic. A new project (Project1) with a default form (Form1) is created.

2. Add the following code to the appropriate events of Form1:

         ' In the General Declarations section:
         Private MyObj As Object
   

         Private Sub Form_Load ()
            Set MyObj = CreateObject("Project1.Class1")
         End Sub
   
         Private Sub Form_Click()
            Print MyObj.MyString
            Print MyObj.MyFunction
         End Sub
   
         Private Sub Form_Unload (Cancel As Integer)
            Set MyObj = Nothing
         End Sub
   
   

3. Start the program by choosing Start from the Run menu or by pressing the F5 key.

4. Click Form1. The following text is output to Form1:

         Life is like a box of chocolates.
         You never know what you're gonna get.
   

When Form1 unloads, it destroys its created instance of the ActiveX Component. If this is the last instance in memory, the server process is removed from memory as well.

REFERENCES

For additional information on creating and using a minimal OLE Automation Server with Visual Basic version 4.0, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q129801
   TITLE     : HOWTO: Create and Use a Minimal OLE Automation Server