Exploring the Object Model in FrontPage

The Microsoft FrontPage object model consists of three separate object models—the Application object model, the Web object model, and the Page object model that is based on Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0's Document object model.

These object models are designed to provide Web designers with a rich set of programmability interfaces to manage individual HTML documents and FrontPage-based webs. The object models parallel other Microsoft Office application object models as closely as possible in order to leverage the experience and knowledge users currently have with other programmable Office applications. In addition, the Page object model is compatible with the Document object model of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and later. The Page object model also leverages the experience and knowledge of web developers who program Dynamic HTML using script.

Differences in the Programmable Interfaces

FrontPage 2000 provides a design-time user experience versus a run-time user experience, because HTML pages are usually viewed in a browser rather than in FrontPage. Other Office applications provide a run-time user experience that contains an environment where the developer can create solutions for the user that run within the application. With FrontPage 2000, you can create utilities for use during the design phase of the HTML document or Web site and, once you have designed and built your web site, you can use VBScript, JScript, and DHTML to create interactive effects for use during run-time when the page is viewed in a browser.

Application Object Model Functionality

The Application object is the top-level object in the Web object model hierarchy and provides access to all of the objects in FrontPage, such as an active web, active page, add-ins, command bars, system, webs, and web.

FrontPage Page Object Model Functionality and Restrictions

The Page object model has all of the functionality of the Internet Explorer Document object model except for the restrictions previously noted and those noted in the following topics.

HTML Events not Supported by FrontPage2000

HTML Methods not Supported by FrontPage2000

HTML Properties not Supported by FrontPage2000

Web Object Model Functionality

The Web object model provides programmatic management of multiple FrontPage-based Web sites and their contents. This object model is based on conventions used by Microsoft Office Applications Suite and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications. The Web object model also provides support for Microsoft Visual SourceSafe when accessed through FrontPage.

Object Model Interaction

Most of the programming for FrontPage-based webs will contain a combination of Web and Page object model programming elements. For additional information and examples of this, click a topic in the following list.

Accessing Framesets with Microsoft Visual Basic

Modifying Pages Programmatically

Programming Dynamic Elements