use win32 COM in python

[Lin Jingxian]

hi,
I have a C++ implemented COM server that give out a method like: int
read(unsigned char* buf, int lenth), How can I use this method from python?
what is the signature?
or anyone can tell me how should I design the COM interface so I can use
python to read a chunk of bytes from a C++ implemented COM server.

thanks.

[Dave Brueck]

Lin Jingxian wrote:

hi,
I have a C++ implemented COM server that give out a method like: int
read(unsigned char* buf, int lenth), How can I use this method from python?
what is the signature?

Have a look at ctypes and/or win32com - they allow you to use COM (in
varying degrees) from Python, so what you're trying to do is probably
possible.

-Dave

[Peter Hansen]

Dave Brueck wrote:

Have a look at ctypes and/or win32com - they allow you to use COM (in
varying degrees) from Python, so what you're trying to do is probably
possible.

[Peter Hansen]

(Sorry for mis-post... trying again.)

Dave Brueck wrote:

Have a look at ctypes and/or win32com - they allow you to use COM (in ^^^^^^^^
Just to note: win32com is part of the "pywin32" package, formerly
called win32all.
varying degrees) from Python, so what you're trying to do is probably
possible.

Definitely.. both should work. There are also many examples out there
of using such things for talking via COM, e.g. to automate Internet
Explorer.

-Peter

[Lin Jingxian]

thanks, Dave and Peter
I can use pythoncom, but since there isn't pointer in python (is it?), I
dont know how to call the : int read(unsigned char* buf, int length) method
in python.what unsigned char* buf should be represented in python?thanks
again.

"Lin Jingxian" <cc******@yahoo.ie> дÈëÓʼþ
news:cg**********@news.yaako.com...

hi,
I have a C++ implemented COM server that give out a method like: int
read(unsigned char* buf, int lenth), How can I use this method from python? what is the signature?
or anyone can tell me how should I design the COM interface so I can use
python to read a chunk of bytes from a C++ implemented COM server.

thanks.

[Miki Tebeka]

Hello Lin,

I have a C++ implemented COM server that give out a method like: int
read(unsigned char* buf, int lenth), How can I use this method from python?
what is the signature?
or anyone can tell me how should I design the COM interface so I can use
python to read a chunk of bytes from a C++ implemented COM server.

You can avoid COM and either get this server as a Python module using
SWIG/Boost.Python/Pyrex ...

You can also use a regular DLL using ctypes package.

However if you *must* use COM then make sure your server has a Dispatch
interface and just use win32com.client.Dispatch to create and use it.

Bye.
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miki Tebeka <mi*********@zoran.com>
http://tebeka.spymac.net
The only difference between children and adults is the price of the toys

[Peter Hansen]

Lin Jingxian wrote:

thanks, Dave and Peter
I can use pythoncom, but since there isn't pointer in python (is it?), I
dont know how to call the : int read(unsigned char* buf, int length) method
in python.what unsigned char* buf should be represented in python?thanks
again.

I think Miki's answer is probably on target for doing that from
pythoncom. That is, don't, but use the Dispatch interface instead.

From ctypes, however, you can create special objects which ctypes can
use as pointer types. For example, byref(sometype) is roughly
equivalent to "sometype * xxx" when using ctypes.

-Peter

[Peter Hansen]

Peter Hansen wrote:

From ctypes, however, you can create special objects which ctypes can
use as pointer types. For example, byref(sometype) is roughly
equivalent to "sometype * xxx" when using ctypes.

Oh, and I should mention that there is a dedicated mailing list
for ctypes so, after you have experimented a bit and read the
docs yourself, you should probably direct ctypes questions there
instead of here, for greatest effect.

-Peter