The IABContainer interface provides access to address book containers. MAPI and client applications call the methods of IABContainer to perform name resolution and to create, copy, and delete recipients.
The IABContainer interface inherits indirectly from IUnknown through IMAPIContainer and IMAPIProp. Address book providers implement IABContainer.
Any number of messaging user objects, distribution lists, and other address book containers can exist within an address book container. As with any container, clients or service providers can use an address book container to open one of its entries or to retrieve a hierarchy table or contents table. Address book containers also provide name resolution and, depending on the provider, the ability to add, remove, or modify entries.
MAPI defines a special address book container, called the personal address book (PAB), that is meant to hold entries copied from other containers. A PAB is always modifiable. Users typically populate their PAB with entries designating the recipients with which they most frequently communicate. A PAB can also hold one-off addresses — new recipients not yet a part of any address book container.