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version 6.0
DDE uses the Client/Server model, i.e., a client application will use its language to request data from another application that acts as a DDE server.
DDE_Tools enable 4D to perform both as DDE Server and as DDE client. 4D can, in its own language, request an Excel spreadsheet in order to obtain the value of a cell. In this case 4D acts as the DDE client, and Excel acts as the DDE server.
An application acts as a DDE server whenever it allows other applications to communicate with it. DDE Tools can turn 4D into a DDE server. Thus, for example, Microsoft Word can ask 4D for the contents of fields in order to fill in the blanks of a customized letter. In this case, 4D is the DDE server and Microsoft Word is the DDE client.
Systems in which two applications communicate between themselves, both in a client mode and a server mode, are possible. For example, in a mail merge, 4D, as the DDE client connecting to Microsoft Word, can request Word to open a document and update references from the 4D database. Word then connects to 4D, which becomes the DDE server. In this case, 4D and Microsoft Word act respectively as client and server to each other.
Note: Do not confuse 4th Dimension acting as DDE client and DDE server, and 4D Client and 4D Server.
See Also
About DDE_Tools Commands, Installing DDE_Tools Under Windows, What is DDE?.
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