Active Directory® Service Interfaces (ADSI) supports a rich set
of interfaces that can be classified according to the following
categories:
Core.These interfaces
provide the basic object management functions of ADSI objects. The
core functions include providing an entry point into a directory
store, loading properties into the property cache, and committing
changes to the underlying directory.
Schema. These interfaces
provide methods for managing and extending the directory
schema.
Property Cache.
These interfaces define methods for manipulating properties in the
property cache.
Persistent
Object. These interfaces manipulate persistent data in the
namespace of the underlying directory service. ADSI objects
implement these types of interfaces to provide access to their
persistent data, including user accounts, file shares,
organizational hierarchies, and job listings in a print queue.
Dynamic Object.
These interfaces work with dynamic data in a directory service.
Directory objects that are not represented in the underlying
directory service implement such interfaces. Examples of dynamic
information include commands issued over a network.
Security. These
interfaces allow an ADSI client to establish its credentials to a
server and use security features that the directory service
supports, such as the access control list or security
descriptors.
Non-Automation.
These interfaces allow non-Automation clients (for example, C/C++
applications) low-overhead access to directory objects by providing
Vtable access to methods for managing and searching directory
service objects.
Extension. These
interfaces allow ADSI clients to extend the functionality of
existing ADSI classes to offer customized solutions to directory
services.
Utility. These interfaces
provide advanced helper functions for managing ADSI objects.
Data Type. These
interfaces provide methods to access ADSI data types.