What's COM?Microsoft describes the
Component Object Model (COM) as a software architecture that allows components made by different software vendors to be combined into a variety of applications. Basically, COM defines a standard for binary component interoperability that is not dependent on any particular programming language, is available on multiple platforms, and is extensible.
According to Microsoft, COM allows developers to take advantage of Windows services. Available Microsoft COM technologies include COM+, Distributed COM (DCOM), and ActiveX Controls.
The COM model dates back to at least 1994, well before the era of managed code. Consequently, most COM modules are written in native C. For this reason, many developers using .NET Compact Framework would like to incorporate these existing native code modules into new managed code applications.
The two articles are summarized as follows (click each title to read the article):
- Using COM Interop in .NET Compact Framework 2.0 -- This 31-page paper by Maarten Struys shows how to use the new COM Interop capabilities of .NET CF 2.0 and contrasts this with the techniques required to integrate native code under version 1.0 of .NET CF. The downloadable sample code runs in the new Windows Mobile 5.0 emulators that are part of the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK.
- Step by Step: Incorporating COM Objects into Your .NET Compact Framework 2.0 Application -- This self-paced, hands-on lab provides a more detailed look at the process of incorporating existing native COM objects into managed applications. The lab consists of three independent projects that can be done in any order. Windows XP PRofessional, Visual Studio 2005, ActiveSync 4.0, and one or both of the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDKs are required to run the projects.
Further details on COM, including its relationship to the .NET Compact Framework, are available
here.
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