Using DDE parts

Dynamic data exchange (DDE) enables two applications running on the same machine to exchange data. You can use DDE to have a client application automatically updated when data on a server application changes. In addition to the steps provided on how to use the DDE Client and DDE Server parts, the following information is also available:

•	Overview of using DDE

Steps for using the DDE parts

The steps for setting up a DDE client application and a DDE server application are the same. The steps below are written for both parts.

1.	Lay out the user interface for the client view and server view.

2.	From the External Functions category , select the DDE Client part or DDE Server part and add it to the free-form surface.

3.	Double-click on the DDE Client or DDE Server part to open the Settings window.

4.	Add the appropriate topics and items to the list.

The items now appear as part of the public interface for the part.

5.	Make the following types of connections:

a.	For the client window, make an event-to-action connection from the aboutToOpenWidget event of the window to the connect action of the DDE Clientpart.

This initiates the required conversation between the DDE client applicationand the DDE server application. The serverName and topic must be specified in the Settings window of the part.

b.	For the client window and the server window, make attribute-to-attribute connections between the items of the DDE Client or DDE Server part and the visual parts of your windows.