Integrating with .NET

The new API integrates with GoldMine by providing an XML Acronym for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a universal format that uses tags for exchanging structured documents and data on the Internet.-based programming interface and COM server. It is compatible with Microsoft .NET development tools (VB.NET and C#). The XML wrapper provides access to functions from the non-XML capable API available of previous GoldMine versions.

Also, user-interface integration tools let developers interact. For instance, replace DDE with COM, to gain:

■ Implementation of current technology instead of DDE.

■ Compatibility with COM-capable development tools.

■ Compatibility with .NET applications.

■ Ability to grow into a full UI API.

■ Ability to rewrite the Excel/Word link.

■ Easier implementation of an XML-based interface.

The COM server implements the relevant DDE functions. An application that previously used DDE can communicate to GoldMine using this interface.

The description has 2 parts:

■ The XML API

■ The UI API to run

The XML API and the UI API use the same basic schema to perform actions:

<GMAPI call="CallName"><dataname="DataName">XXXXXX</data>...</GMAPI>

Eventually, this will evolve into a retro-written XML-schema and DTD for the full APIs.

The XML API wraps the existing GM API into a simpler interface. Low-level functions performing actions needed by the non-XML API programmer are hidden. Failures are self-documented (no return messages).

Suggested Prerequisites

■ Using the interfaces (developers and Technology partners): A working knowledge of COM and XML (or ability to build well-formed XML strings).

■ End users: A working knowledge of the standard function calls for the older gmx32.dll version of the GoldMine API.

See http://www.goldmine.com/goldmine-support/ for access to our Self-Service portal, Knowledgebase, Community, and contact information.