CreateObject

CreateObject is a programming construct used to instantiate or create instances of objects within a software application. It is commonly employed in object-oriented programming languages such as Visual Basic, VBScript, and other scripting environments, facilitating dynamic object creation at runtime. The primary purpose of CreateObject is to instantiate COM (Component Object Model) components or other external objects that provide specific functionalities, enabling developers to extend their applications with reusable modules.

In many programming languages, CreateObject functions by accepting a string parameter that specifies the program identifier (ProgID) or class identifier (CLSID) of the component to be instantiated. Upon execution, it returns a reference to the newly created object, which can then be used to invoke methods, access properties, or manage the component's lifecycle. This approach promotes modular design and enables integration with external systems, such as Office applications, databases, or custom COM components.

For example, in Visual Basic, CreateObject is used to initiate an instance of Microsoft Excel:

Dim excelApp As Object

Set excelApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application")

In this case, "Excel.Application" is the ProgID that specifies the Excel automation object.

CreateObject is distinct from other object creation methods such as New in Visual Basic, as it allows late binding and dynamic instantiation of components identified by their ProgID or CLSID. This flexibility makes it particularly valuable in scenarios requiring runtime discovery and interaction with external or unknown components.

Overall, CreateObject is a key tool in scripting and automation tasks, supporting interoperable, modular, and flexible software development.