The data that describes a set of objects is stored in a type library. A type library can be a stand-alone binary file (.TLB), a resource in a dynamic link library or executable file (.DLL, .OLB, or .EXE).
Implemented by | Used by | Header file name |
|---|
Oleaut32.dll (32-bit systems) Typelib.dll (16-bit systems) | Tools that need to access the descriptions of objects contained in type libraries. | OAidl.h Dispatch.h |
The system registry contains a list of all the installed type libraries. Type library organization is illustrated in the following figure:
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The ITypeLib interface provides methods for accessing a library of type descriptions. This interface supports the following:
Generalized containment for type information. ITypeLib allows iteration over the type descriptions contained in the library.
Global functions and data. A type library can contain descriptions of a set of modules (.DLLs) that exports data and functions. The type library supports compiling references to the exported data and functions.
General information, including a user-readable name for the library and help for the library as a whole.
Concepts