Collaboration Data Objects

What is collaboration data objects?
Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) is an application programming interface (API) that is built into Microsoft server products. CDO provides access to the global address list, mailbox contents, public folders, and other server objects related to messaging and Microsoft Outlook. CDO cannot be used to program additional functionality to MS Outlook directly.

CDO's library of functions provides a convenient way for developers to create, edit, and send Internet messages that applications such as Microsoft Outlook cannot.

Collaboration Data Objects was previously known as OLE Messaging or Active Messaging.

The Microsoft application programming interface (MAPI) is a flexible interface that can support new APIs and features for future applications. CDO is a scripting interface that is added to the existing MAPI. CDO uses an object library that supports not only C / C ++ clients, but any application that creates and accesses COM objects.

The CDO API is available in two files, CDO.dll and CDOHTML.dll. The CDO.dll contains core collaboration functions that include sending messages, accessing directories, and accessing schedule information. CDOHTML.dll acts as a rendering library that enables the conversion of information stored in Exchange Server to HTML by using custom views, colors, and formats.

CDO enables the creation of multi-server-based applications. It can access detailed information stored in the directory or display address books for users. CDO also provides authenticated or anonymous access to information. This allows users to access and create calendar information, as well as access to public directories and information.

The CDO functionality is available through two libraries that support direct access to public folders and mailbox contents for any application that uses the CDO API to communicate with the mailbox. The two versions of CDO are CDONTS and CDOSYS.CDO. You can easily process e-mail attachments, group lists and schedules, all of which can be transported transparently across applications.