OLE Automation in JavaScript

We have yet to talk about using OLE Automation in JavaScript (or to be exact, JScript). In this column you will see how JavaScript can take advantage of the power of Automation to extend the capabilities of any server-side script. If you want to run the examples in this column, refer to Column 48, Using JavaScript in HomeSite 4.0, Part I, Column 49, Using JavaScript in HomeSite 4.0, Part II, and Column 50, Using JavaScript in HomeSite 4.0, Part III. The scripts can also be executed directly via the Windows Script Host (WSH).

Automation isn't new. It has been around for several years, but its support by ActiveX scripting languages is an interesting new implementation. If you've got a Visual Basic or Visual C++ background, this column will show you how to take advantage of your experience to create useful scripts that control external applications.

Controlling applications from within your script can be quite powerful. Imagine opening a Word document or an Excel sheet from your script! HTML editors such as HomeSite 4.0 and HoTMetal Pro 6 provide you with a rich set of utilities that you can take advantage of in your home page. They are packaged in ActiveX controls for the sake of ease of release and use. In this column you'll find out:

• What Automation is
• What binding is
• How to create a new instance of an Automation object
• How to retrieve an existing instance of an Automation object
• How to work with application instances
• How to improve the performance of your scripts
• How to work with collection objects