Custom Browser Helper Objects (BHOs)—Custom Browser Development
BHO Geek Speak
With a browser helper object you can write in–process Component Object Model (COM) components which Internet Explorer will load each time it starts up.
These objects run in the same memory space as the browser and can perform various actions on the available modules or windows.
A BHO is tied to the browsers main window. In essence, a new instance of the object is created as soon as a new browser window is created. Any instance of the BHO lives and dies with the browsers instance.
BHOs only exist in IE from versions 4.0 and later and are well supported by Windows Explorer.
A slang term sometimes used to describe a BHO is "faceless GUI object!"
What is a BHO?
Browser Helper Objects are straight forward ways to customize Internet Explorer. They are extremely useful tools to bind local applications or devices to your web application.
If you need a specialized version of a browser, or, if you need to hook a client side application to your web application, this is the way to do it.
What have we done with BHOs?
Our experience with Browser Helper Objects is quite extensive. Here are just a few examples of BHO implementations that we have done.
- Integration of peripheral devices such as a Smart Card Reader or a handheld Telxon device to a browser web application.
- Context menu handlers. For example, inserting a "right click" context menu that performs a custom function.
- Error handlers to monitoring web events such as 404 and DNS errors.
- Web page annotation controls.
- Helper windows.
- The possibilities are simply endless with a BHO.
A brief synopsis for you: A question we’re often asked: “well if you’ve done these so many times how come it is still going to take you “x” amount of time”? Answer is simple: there is not one single BHO that we’ve ever done that is the same as another one; each one has its’ own characteristics and is usually tailored to a specific company or persons needs.
Another question often asked: “what have you done with these BHO’s”. Answer is simple: we’ve done BHO’s that are dynamically formatted based upon a server script or file. Additionally we’ve done BHO’s that are so dynamic it is based upon a Server XML or file. Again we need to get some details on what you want. Refer to this link for more of what we need to know.
Another question often asked: “tell us about the price of BHO’s”. Answer is simple: it all depends on what you want your BHO to do and on the dynamics required. To take it a tad further, we simply base all of our quotes on how many hours it would take us to design and debug a BHO and pass on to you’re a fixed quotation. Refer to this link for more of what we need to know.
Another question often asked: “can you please give me a price”. Answer here again is simple: yes we can, however, it is absolutely necessary -- logically that we receive some form of requirements (specifications) from you upfront (it doesn’t need to be fancy but it does need to give us a further idea of what you want and more details) so we understand what you’re looking to have your BHO do. See this link for further items necessary to define—then we will be happy to pass on a quote to you - of course!
