3.3.2 Calling Automation methods without a type library

There are three kinds of Automation method, each of which is called using functions designed for the purpose.

• Ordinary method are called using the function

invoke-dispatch-method.

• Property getter methods are called using the function

invoke-dispatch-get-property.

• Property setter methods are called either using the function

invoke-dispatch-put-property

or the setf form of invoke-dispatch-get-property.

To use these function, you need to specify a COM interface pointer for the i-dispatch interface, the method name and suitable arguments. The method name is given as a string or integer and the COM interface pointer is a foreign pointer of type com-interface. In all the functions, the arg s and value s are as specified in the Data conversion when calling Automation methods.