Question and Answer Database
FAQ: FAQ4629C — Return value as a prameter
Category: ActiveX/OLE/COM/ActiveForm
Platform: All-32Bit
Product: C++Builder3.x, C++Builder4.x,
Question:
I would like to see a example on how to return a value as a
parameter when the function is called from a ASP script.
With BCB 3.0 I can return it, but with 4.0 the typelibrary
editor say "Functions of Automation Interfaces must have a
return type of HRESULT"
Ok, but I can not call the function from ASP when it has
pointers parameters.....
Answer:
Methods of interfaces must return HRESULT, unless the interface is marked
'local'. That's the rule of OLE and we enforce it.
However, your interface can still return parameters accessible from an ASP
script (or VB or Delphi or C++Builder): You simply have to take the return
parameter as a reference parameter to your method. That parameter must be
the last one and it must be marked [out, retval] from the flags page. For
example:
HRESULT __stdcall IMyInterface::GetName(BSTR *name /*out|retval*/);
An ASP script will still access the method using ' Obj.GetName'. The
returned HRESULT is hidden to the script writer (well, it's exposed in case
of errors — i.e. via On Error). Similarly, a C++ client accesses your method
using
try {
nameVar = server->GetName();
}
catch ...
(NOTE: In the old days things were not like this: with old style
dispinterfaces, you specified your return type on the LHS. With the
introduction of dual interfaces, this was no longer possible because there
was no place to report an error condition: hence the 'HRESULT' on LHS and
'out|retval' reference parameter).
6/16/99 2:56:13 PM
Last Modified: 01-SEP-99