Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM) has emerged as a vital tool. It's the basis of Microsoft's approach to distributed computing. It's a powerful method for customizing applications, present and future. And it's the foundation of OLE and ActiveX. In short, COM helps unlock the future of development. And this is the book that unlocks COM. In it, you'll discover a clear and simple, practical guide to building elegant COM components; an eye-opening presentation of how accessible COM can be - especially for those who have already mastered C++; an insightful, progressive view of COM design; and plenty of examples in the form of code examples. Inside COM is for intermediate to advanced C++ programmers; COM, ActiveX, and OLE programmers; academics with an interest in component design; and programmers who want to use COM when it's ported to UNIX, MVS, and other environments.