A Working Definition of the Component Object Model

 < Free Open Study > 



As with most things, exact definitions of a specific thing vary depending on whom you ask (and often when you ask it). While this is also true when one attempts to describe the Component Object Model (COM), we will define COM as the following:

  • COM is an object-oriented, interface-based programming architecture.

  • COM is a set of run-time services.

First and foremost, COM is a programming architecture. When developers create software entities adhering to the COM specification, the end result is highly scaleable, reusable, and accessible binary objects. For example, all COM objects have the ability to be accessed by numerous languages, at various physical locations around the enterprise. Furthermore, developers may choose their lingua franca to develop the objects themselves. This allows developers skilled in a given language to stick to their language of choice when implementing and using COM components (management approval pending, of course).

 On the CD   The companion CD contains Microsoft's official COM Specification. This white paper is regarded as the centerpiece of all COM literature. Be sure to check it out.

COM is not only a programming specification, but also a set of run-time services. COM provides a rich API called the COM library. The numerous services, functions, and data types defined in the COM library bootstrap the COM environment, much like our custom Rect API developed in Chapter 2. Unlike the Rect API, however, the COM library works with any COM-compliant object in a generic (a.k.a. polymorphic) manner. In addition to the COM library, the Service Control Manager (abbreviated SCM and pronounced "scum") and the system registry provide further COM run-time services.



 < Free Open Study > 



Developer's Workshop to COM and ATL 3.0
Developers Workshop to COM and ATL 3.0
ISBN: 1556227043
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2000
Pages: 171

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net