What is this technique called?

by 17 replies
19
Hey Warriors,

As somebody who specializes in web apps, I don't know too much about languages like Java and C/C++ - But I'd like to.

Specifically I'd like to learn more about the technique that brings an IE browser into an application and then interacts with it.

I pick up languages pretty quickly - and know a modified version of C pretty well (for my robotics hobby) not to mention I've got quite a few books on Java laying around.

Anyway, I'd love to know what this is called.

Thanks in advance for your help!
#programming #called #technique
  • back in the day, i think it was called OLE and/or DDE.

    alot of languages like VB, Visual C, etc..have hooks to let you use IE browser objects, drag n drop into your form and u have access to the object properties.
  • So, OLE or DDE would allow me to create, let's say, an app that would fill out and submit forms? Forms would be the big thing, as they're one of the main interaction points on websites.

    Thanks for the help!
    • [2] replies
    • yes, it is possible.. you can do a googly search such as "fill out HTML forms with VB" to get examples, or substitute VB for another programming language.

      peace
      • [1] reply
    • Screw that ... check out Adobe Air ... transfer your HTML skills into "Apps"
  • You need to look at the mshtml classes..
    • [1] reply
    • yeah.. the mshtml classes..
      • [1] reply
  • I looked at it, and it looks cool - but what I'd ultimately like to do is sell the software I create. It doesn't sound like I can plug Selenium into a desktop app... Or can I?
    • [1] reply

    • Sure you can ... all you have to do is package the RC server, and exec Java command which will start the server in the background .. then you can use whatever lib you want to automate the browser through the RC server.

      Not sure of the license on it though ....

      Have you seen SocialMarker's site? Is this what you want to do or similar?
      • [1] reply
  • Chris: Can you clarify you goal?

    Are you looking to making an application designed for user interaction or a fully automated webpage "robot" for filling out forms? OLE/DDE is kinda obsolete, or at least hanging on by a thread. ActiveX came next. And now many people are using .Net technologies which have built in support for many Microsoft classes including an IE control.

    This is all irrelevant if you are trying to make a robot of sorts.. As someone mentioned above many sites now use CAPTCHAs to prevent exactly this.
    • [1] reply
    • Well if you are programming for windows and using a language like VB.NET or C# then you have the Browser Control that you can use to host web pages in your app. Just a single line of code is needed to call up a page and then you can access all the elements on that page.
  • Yes its not strictly OLE that predates what you use to embed IE which is ActiveX and the IE browser is housed in COM DLL. However it only exposes certain properties and methods. If you have an environment like Visual Studio you can use the object browser to get a list of supported methods. As a COM dll it registers itself with windows so you dont have to hunt for it, it will appear in a list of registered controls on your machine.
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