Obtain Billboard Data Using an External DLL

For a more complicated billboard, you may need a DLL to customise the logic.

To pass a parameter to the DLL:

• For Boolean billboard parameters, the value is represented as Bool.
• For Number billboard parameters, the value is represented as Double.
• For String billboard parameters, the value is represented as String.
• For Date billboard parameters, the value is represented as DateTime.
• For List billboard parameters, the value is represented as a comma-delimited string.
• For BTTextList billboard parameters, the value is represented as String.

Security Note: You need the Allow billboard maintenance security right in the Billboards domain security rights group for this activity.

Activity Steps

1. Write and test the DLL.

   Ensure that the method that takes in the arguments (hash table connections, hash table parameters) is exposed and returns a System.Data.DataSet object.

   The external DLL’s class should implement the IBTReportTableHandler interface.

2. Place the DLL in the Billboards folder within the MineMarket installation folder on the Application Server.

   MineMarket can only select DLLs that are in this location.

3. Open the Billboard (configuration).
4. Select the Data Set Editor tab.
5. Select the Data node in the Data Tables field group.
6. Set the Data Source Type to External DLL.
7. If a billboard parameter is to be passed to the external DLL, configure the billboard parameter.
8. Complete the following fields.

   Database Connection

   Assembly Name—The assembly path must be accessible via the MineMarket Server.

   Class Name

9. Click Save.