A
software architecture developed by
Microsoft to build component-based
applications. COM objects are discrete components, each with a unique
identity, which expose
interfaces that allow applications and other components to access their features. COM objects are more versatile than Win32
DLLs because they are completely language-independent, have built-in interprocess communications capability, and easily fit into an
object-oriented program design. COM was first released in 1993 with OLE2, largely to replace the
interprocess communication mechanism
DDE used by the initial release of
OLE.
ActiveX also is based on COM.