extern "C" DCPP_API long xlat_SafeArray(SAFEARRAY * *psaArray, double* pd) {
        return codes: 0 - Success
                    > 0 - Failure
        ================================================================ = */
       
    {
        long lElements; // number of elements in the array
        long iCount;
        HRESULT lResult; // return code for OLE functions
        double* pArrayElements; // pointer to the elements of the array

        // initializing the output
        *pd = 0;

        // checking if it is an one-dimensional array
        if ((*psaArray)->cDims != 1) return(1);

        // checking if it is an array of doubles(long longs?)
        if ((*psaArray)->cbElements != 8) return(2);

        // how many elements are there in the array
        lElements = (*psaArray)->rgsabound[0].cElements;

        // locking the array before using its elements
        lResult = SafeArrayLock(*psaArray);
        if (lResult)return(3);

        // using the array
        pArrayElements = (double*)(*psaArray)->pvData;
        pArrayElements[3] = M_PI * pArrayElements[0] * pArrayElements[0] * pArrayElements[1] * pArrayElements[2] / 4.0;
        *pd= pArrayElements[3];
        // releasing the array
        lResult = SafeArrayUnlock(*psaArray);
        if (lResult) return(4);

        // returning
        return(0);
    }


};