Using the Chilkat ActiveX in Xbase++

link ascom10.lib, create Chilkat objects with CreateObject(), and call them with : syntax

Windows · Alaska Xbase++ (32-bit) · Chilkat ActiveX v11

Xbase++ uses COM automation objects through its AutomationObject class. CreateObject() returns an automation object connected to a Chilkat class such as Chilkat.Http, Chilkat.JsonObject, or Chilkat.Crypt2, and you call its methods and properties like any Xbase++ object. That gives an Xbase++ application HTTP/REST, email, FTP/SFTP, SSH, Zip, PDF, encryption, digital signatures, JSON, XML, and the rest of the Chilkat API.

On this page: Install First program Reading JSON Xbase++ tips Deploying Troubleshooting

Setup

#pragma library("ascom10.lib")

Examples

Your first program: unlock Chilkat and fetch a URL

Chilkat must be unlocked once per process with UnlockBundle, so call it once when your program starts. During the 30-day trial any string works; after purchase, use your license code.

#pragma library("ascom10.lib")

PROCEDURE Main
   LOCAL oGlob, oHttp, cText

   oGlob := CreateObject("Chilkat.Global")
   IF oGlob == NIL
      ? "Chilkat ActiveX is not available:", ComLastMessage()
      RETURN
   ENDIF
   IF oGlob:UnlockBundle("Anything for 30-day trial") <> 1
      ? oGlob:LastErrorText
      oGlob:destroy()
      RETURN
   ENDIF
   oGlob:destroy()

   oHttp := CreateObject("Chilkat.Http")
   cText := oHttp:QuickGetStr("https://www.chilkatsoft.com/helloworld.txt")
   IF oHttp:LastMethodSuccess <> 1
      ? oHttp:LastErrorText
   ELSE
      ? cText
   ENDIF
   oHttp:destroy()

   WAIT
RETURN

The program prints Hello World!. The ProgID is Chilkat. plus the class name, for example Chilkat.JsonObject or Chilkat.Crypt2. Properties are read and assigned like instance variables: oHttp:Accept := "application/json".

Read a JSON response

This procedure downloads a small JSON document, parses it with Chilkat.JsonObject, and prints each member. The same pattern works for any REST API: send the request with Chilkat.Http or Chilkat.Rest, then read the fields with StringOf, IntOf, and SizeOfArray.

PROCEDURE ListFruit
   LOCAL oHttp, oJson, cJson, i

   // {"apple":"red", "lime":"green", "banana":"yellow", ...}
   oHttp := CreateObject("Chilkat.Http")
   cJson := oHttp:QuickGetStr("https://www.chilkatsoft.com/exampledata/sample.json")
   IF oHttp:LastMethodSuccess <> 1
      ? oHttp:LastErrorText
      oHttp:destroy()
      RETURN
   ENDIF
   oHttp:destroy()

   oJson := CreateObject("Chilkat.JsonObject")
   IF oJson:Load(cJson) <> 1
      ? oJson:LastErrorText
   ELSE
      FOR i := 0 TO oJson:Size - 1
         ? oJson:NameAt(i), oJson:StringAt(i)
      NEXT
   ENDIF
   oJson:destroy()
RETURN

Things to know when calling Chilkat from Xbase++

Deploying an Xbase++ program

Your EXE doesn't contain Chilkat; it finds the Chilkat ActiveX through the Windows registry. On each computer where the program runs:

• Install and register the 32-bit Chilkat ActiveX. The simplest way is to run Chilkat's 32-bit per-machine MSI from your setup, or to have your installer copy the DLL and register it.
• If you register the DLL yourself on 64-bit Windows, use the 32-bit regsvr32: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\regsvr32.exe. The ActiveX DLL Registration Tutorial explains the 32-bit and 64-bit registries.
• Install the DLL to a local folder and don't move it after registering, because the registry records its path.

Troubleshooting

Next Steps

• 📖 Chilkat Xbase++ Reference Documentation — every class, method, and property
• 💻 Chilkat Xbase++ examples — thousands of ready-to-run examples
• 📦 Chilkat ActiveX downloads (MSI installers and ZIP files)
• ✉ Contact Chilkat support

Xbase++ is a trademark of Alaska Software.