CDO (Collaboration Data Objects).
There are a few ways of sending e-mails. It depends on you requirements.
1. Simple Mapi (does not support HTML tags in the body)
2. Extended Mapi (Does support HTML tags)
3. CMC (Common Messaging Calls) Is a non-platform specific. When it is used on Windows it will access the MAPI properties.
4. MAPI Activex
5. CDO 1.21 - I use to use this. Installed with Outlook 98
6. CDO 2.0 - Now I use this. Install by default on XP
7. CDO 3.0 -
8. Automating Outlook
9. And a few other lesser known ones.
Each of the above meet certain needs. As shown Simple MAPI does not support HTML tags in the body of the message. Once you discover what the toll you are using can do you will find you want more. For example if you only want to send bulk e-mails with no access to the Outlook contact folder and no HTML tags in the body, then Simple MAPI might do it for you. But if you need multiple attachment, a whole webpage embedded in the body of the e-mail, access to Outlook contact list, forcing a read-receipt back etc...Then CDO might do the trick for you.
Here are some references for you to look at.
Introduction to Collaboration Data Objects
The Premier Resource for Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects for CDO 1.21
Simple MAPI
Simple Mapi VB
Many Samples here
Outlook Automation
P.S. One thing you may encouter depending on tool you choose to go with, is the warning message that "Outlook is trying to send an e-mail" that requires the user's confirmation. CDO for one bypasses that. Extended MAPI does not, although there are a few "work arounds".
In closing I wouldn't say that any of the above are more stable than the other, it is a matter of your needs, your setup.
Hope that helps.
Mike Gagnon
If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first.
