Objects don't mix and match well. What It Is A component is a piece of binary code that accomplishes something, that works in many different computer environments, and that can be hooked up with other components to create complete applications. Components are written to a standard so they can work everywhere. Computers, stereo systems and automobiles are made up of separate components that are put together to create the finished product. The component architecture specifies the way the component represents data, functions, and events.
Events are the means to connect components with each other.
The component architecture also specifies how a component will be hosted on different platforms. Software applications that can host a particular type of component are called component containers . In fact, COM is the architecture behind an array of Microsoft technologies with names like OLE Automation and OLE in-place activation. The standard example of COM in action is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet embedded inside a Word document. COM is the internal plumbing that makes this linking and embedding possible.