When indicated, ABL converts the specified ABL data type to a Pointer or Variant Pointer COM data type. This has no effect on the value of the parameter or property, only on the way the value is packaged. ABL determines the conversion in the following ways:

  • Converts to a Pointer when the method parameter or property reference includes the BY-POINTER type option, or the Type Library specifies a Pointer to the corresponding COM data type
  • Converts to a Variant Pointer when the method parameter or property reference includes the BY-VARIANT-POINTER type option, or the Type Library specifies a Variant Pointer to the corresponding COM data type