COMPONENT OBJECT MODEL (COM)

Ø Is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993.

Ø Used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation.

Ø COM provides a language neutral way of implementing objects that can be used in different environments.

Ø Allows reuse of objects with no knowledge of their internal implementation.

Ø COM is used in applications such as the Microsoft Office Family of products. For example COM OLE technology allows Word documents to dynamically link to data in Excel spreadsheets

Ø COM objects can be created with a variety of programming languages. Object-oriented languages, such as C++, provide programming mechanisms that simplify the implementation of COM objects.

Ø The family of COM technologies includes COM+, Distributed COM (DCOM) and ActiveX® Controls.