Changes to the AutoCAD application programming interfaces (APIs) occur with each new release, but might not require you to recompile or change existing custom programs so they work in the latest release.
With each new release, you should retest all your custom and third-party applications. Any programs that utilize commands or system variables should be reviewed to ensure the command string (such as command name, options, and values) is still valid. Also verify that no deprecated commands or system variables are being used.
The following outlines some additional changes that could affect the use of custom programs developed for an AutoCAD-based product prior to AutoCAD 2016:
- Scripts and Action Macros – No changes should be needed.
- AutoLISP – No changes should be needed.
- ActiveX/VBA – Programs that assign a password to a drawing must be modified and any program that uses the SendCommand method should be reviewed to see if the SendCommand method should be changed to use the PostCommand method that was introduced with AutoCAD 2015-based products. Programs developed for AutoCAD 2014-based products and earlier should also be reviewed and updated for proper 64-bit compatibility.
- .NET – Programs that assign a password to a drawing or utilize render presets must be modified, and those that were developed for AutoCAD 2014-based products and earlier must be recompiled.
- ObjectARX – Programs that assign a password to a drawing or utilize render presets must be modified, and those that were developed for AutoCAD 2014-based products and earlier must be recompiled.
- JavaScript – No changes should be needed.
Note: Starting with AutoCAD 2014-based products, custom applications must work under secure mode; when the SECURELOAD system variable is set to 1 or 2. When operating under secure mode, the product is restricted to loading and executing files that contain code from trusted locations; trusted locations are specified by the TRUSTEDPATHS system variable. For more information, see About Protecting Against Malicious Code.