All workplace objects can be uniquely identified by a persistent object handle within a given machine. Once an object handle is obtained for an object (using the wpQueryHandle instance method), the handle can be used at any subsequent time even if the system was powered off in the meantime, provided that the object instance has not been destroyed. This method is intended for use by objects that wish to communicate with other objects using method calls. At any point in time, an object can reestablish contact with another object by using this method. For example, a WPShadow object will use this method to get the object pointer to the object it is currently shadowing when it is made awake. Note that the returned object is locked so that the called object can access the returned pointer without the risk of the object being made dormant. When the object pointer is no longer needed, the wpUnlockObject method should be invoked to permit the system to make that object dormant when all other locks on it have been released.

Using HOBJECT for .INI files or files in which an application uses a rename/save/delete sequence is not supported.