XLL architecture halts project...

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XLL architecture halts project...
Desperately seeking core changes... 
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Jason Sobell




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2008-04-02
Sergey,
What is the likelihood of having some of the restrictions removed from the XLLContainer in the very near future, or can you suggest a workaround for our problem?

We have a solution that shares a function library between Excel and SpreadsheetGear, allowing our users to develop their calculations in Excel (accessing the library as an XLL) then allowing a service to execute those same 'sheets' at high speed overnight through SpreadsheetGear (accessing the library through our compatibility layer).

I recently moved the code base to Add-in Express to take advantage of the Excel2007 features, but implementation of the compatibility layer has become a nightmare.

In our existing system we scan the DLL for functions with an [ExcelFunction] attribute, adding those as custom functions to SpreadsheetGear. We then call all methods flagged as [ExcelAutoOpen] to perform functions such as opening our database connections.

Implementing something similar in Add-In Express is far more difficult because of the enforced 'single class' approach, which means your DLL wrapper insists that the entire support library for Office be present and loaded whenever our library is loaded, so we split our library into external classes. But then we can't add them because your DLL is hard coded to look for a static class "XLLContainer" in the current application domain!
I've been experimenting with reflection to add an external assembly to the current domain and have it recognised, but can't find anything sensible that appears to work.

In theory I could write 200 stub functions to call the equivalents in an external function library, but that is very messy and would be a nightmare to keep in sync.

Any suggestions (other than reverting all my changes back to ExcelDNA :()?

Cheers,
Jason
Posted 19 Apr, 2008 11:11:25 Top
Sergey Grischenko


Add-in Express team


Posts: 7233
 Joined: 2004-07-05
Hi Jason.

I am going to add the ADXXLLAdditionalModule class (something similar to ADXAddinAdditionalModule) to the next Add-in Express vesion. You will able to implement your functionality.
Posted 19 Apr, 2008 14:45:19 Top
Jason Sobell




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2008-04-02
Thanks Sergey, that is excellent news.
Do we have a timescale, or will you be able to send us a beta version to test with?
We would be more than happy to work with you on this and act as testers, as our situation is becoming critical :)

Cheers,
Jason
Posted 19 Apr, 2008 22:15:44 Top
Sergey Grischenko


Add-in Express team


Posts: 7233
 Joined: 2004-07-05
Hi Jason.

We will publish a new version in a couple of weeks. I can't send you the code at the moment because it is not ready yet.
Posted 21 Apr, 2008 08:49:39 Top
Jason Sobell




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2008-04-02
OK, thanks Sergey.

I'll try and divert development to other areas for a couple of weeks :)

Cheers,
Jason
Posted 23 Apr, 2008 02:34:30 Top
Sergey Grischenko


Add-in Express team


Posts: 7233
 Joined: 2004-07-05
Hi Jason.

I will try to send you a new build earlier.
Posted 23 Apr, 2008 06:29:24 Top
Jason Sobell




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2008-04-02
Hi Sergey,
How are we going?
Posted 07 May, 2008 21:33:25 Top
Sergey Grischenko


Add-in Express team


Posts: 7233
 Joined: 2004-07-05
Hi Jason.

I will send you an intermediate build on Monday.
Posted 08 May, 2008 11:19:52 Top
Jason Sobell




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2008-04-02
Excellent, thanks.

Cheers,
Jason
Posted 08 May, 2008 22:13:44 Top
Sergey Grischenko


Add-in Express team


Posts: 7233
 Joined: 2004-07-05
Hi Jason.

What edition of Add-in Express 2008 for .NET do you use?
Posted 12 May, 2008 12:40:44 Top

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