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Description.

COM object are a fast and simple way to add power to a web page or application. It allows functionality you to leverage your skills in another language from C#. I have also found that if I don't have time to work out how to do it in C# then I write it in C++ as a COM object and call the COM from C#. This simple code sample shows how to do this with a simple COM object.

Here is a sample.

In this sample I will call an Object called Search in a DLL called McTainshCom.dll. I will access a property called BuildNo.

• First Open the "Solution Explorer" for the project you want to the COM object from.
• Expand the "Application" branch.
• Right click on the "References" branch and select "Add Reference".
• Select the "COM" Tab. (Wait a we while!)
• All registered COM objects should appear in the list. If the COM you want is not in the list, check it is registered.
• Highlight the Object you want to use "McTainshCOM".
• Press "Select" then "OK".
• The object should now appear in the references list.

The following code segement shows how to use the COM object

    MCTAINSHCOMLib.SearchPage sr = new MCTAINSHCOMLib.SearchPage();
    SearchPage sr = new SearchPage();
    short nBuild = sr.BuildNo();
    string sBuild = Int32.ToString( nBuild );

Alternatively you can include the namespace to save some typing.

    using MCTAINSHCOMLib;
    
    ...
    
    SearchPage sr = new SearchPage();
    short nBuild = sr.BuildNo();
    string sBuild = Int32.ToString( nBuild );

How to unload the COM object if using WebForms/ASPX.

Once the COM object has been loaded it will be kept in memory and can not be replaced until IIS has been stopped. To do this either restart the computer (quite serious) or stop the World Wide Web service. There is also a button on the Internet Services Manager. Select the web site manager properties and open the Home Directory tab. Here there is an Unload button. I have never had any success with this button but it is worth a try.