The IA4HierarchyFolder interface describes a set of functions that the independent software vendor will implement. IA4HierarchyFolder is a component object model (COM) interface that IBM® defined for the purpose of allowing third parties to add new folders and objects to the iSeries™ Navigator hierarchy.
For a description of the Microsoft® COM, see the Microsoft Web site.
The iSeries Navigator program calls the methods on the IA4HierarchyFolder interface whenever it needs to communicate with the third-party plug-in. The primary purpose of the interface is to supply the Navigator with list data that will be used when displaying the contents of a folder defined by the plug-in. The methods on the interface allow the Navigator to bind to a particular third-party folder and list its contents. There are methods for returning the number of columns in the details view and their associated headings. Additional methods exist that supply the specifications for a custom toolbar to be associated with the folder.
The interface implementation is typically compiled and linked into an ActiveX server Dynamic Link Library (DLL). The Navigator learns about the existence of the new DLL by means of entries in the Windows® registry. These entries specify the location of the DLL on the user's personal computer and the "junction point" in the object hierarchy where the new folder or folders are to be inserted. The Navigator then loads the DLL at the appropriate time and calls methods on the IA4HierarchyFolder interface as needed.
The header file CWBA4HYF.H contains declarations of the interface prototype and associated data structures and return codes.