User`s manual

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
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Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
MATLAB provides functions that enable MATLAB to access other Windows
applications and for other Windows applications to access MATLAB in a wide
range of contexts. These functions use dynamic data exchange (DDE), software
that allows Microsoft Windows applications to communicate with each other by
exchanging data.
This section describes using DDE in MATLAB:
•“DDE Concepts and Terminology”
•“Accessing MATLAB As a Server”
•“Using MATLAB As a Client”
•“DDE Advisory Links”
DDE Concepts and Terminology
Applications communicate with each other by establishing a DDE
conversation. The application that initiates the conversation is called the client.
The application that responds to the client application is called the server.
When a client application initiates a DDE conversation, it must identify two
DDE parameters that are defined by the server:
•The name of the application it intends to have the conversation with, called
the service name
•The subject of the conversation, called the topic
When a server application receives a request for a conversation involving a
supported topic, it acknowledges the request, establishing a DDE conversation.
The combination of a service and a topic identifies a conversation uniquely. The
service or topic cannot be changed for the duration of the conversation,
although the service can maintain more than one conversation.
During a DDE conversation, the client and server applications exchange data
concerning items. An item is a reference to data that is meaningful to both
applications in a conversation. Either application can change the item during
a conversation. These concepts are discussed in more detail below.