AEP Interface Version Comparison

Advantage Concepts

AEP Interface versions are used to specify which pre-defined interface the Advantage server should use when executing an AEP. With the introduction of Advantage v7.0 (which included an updated AEP interface), a mechanism to determine the format of the AEP functions (Startup, Shutdown, and user functions) was necessary.

If the AEP container (Win32 DLL, .NET Assembly, etc.) exports a function called GetInterfaceVersion, the Advantage server will use the return value from this function to determine what format to use when calling the AEPs in that container. If the AEP container does not export the GetInterfaceVersion function, the Advantage server will assume it is dealing with a version 1 interface.

A description of each interface is included below.

AEP Interface Version 1

This AEP interface was the first AEP interface, and is supported only for backwards-compatibility. For a definition of the function prototypes used by version 1 AEPs, consult the Advantage v6.0 – v6.2 help documentation.

AEP Interface Version 2

This AEP interface includes the following enhancements over the version 1 interface: