6 Component Object Model Books That Accelerate Your Expertise

Drawing from extensive experience in C++ and Windows programming, Thuan L. Thai offers a focused exploration of Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) technology, tailored for developers working within Microsoft's ecosystem. You’ll gain a firm grasp of the underlying remote procedure calls, the architecture of components, classes, and objects, and practical guidance on writing secure and maintainable distributed applications. Key chapters demystify complex topics such as threading, security, and marshaling, while also breaking down Microsoft’s tools and wizards to reveal what happens behind the scenes, empowering you to make informed decisions in your development process. This book suits C++ programmers eager to deepen their understanding of DCOM’s internals and how to leverage it effectively in Windows environments.

Dale Rogerson's decades of experience in software development and architecture shine through in this detailed exploration of Microsoft's Component Object Model. You learn how COM serves as a binary standard enabling software components to interact across processes and languages, rather than a programming language itself. The book delves into the architecture underlying COM, OLE, and ActiveX, clarifying how these technologies interoperate despite structural differences. This makes it particularly useful if you're a software developer or architect aiming to master COM’s specifications and integration capabilities. While it assumes some technical background, the focus on binary-level standards offers insights not commonly detailed elsewhere.

This tailored book explores the intricacies of Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) programming and architecture, focusing on your interests and goals. It reveals step-by-step mastery techniques, carefully matching your existing knowledge and the specific topics you want to cover. Through a personalized approach, it examines distributed COM components in depth, providing clear explanations of complex concepts such as component communication, threading models, security, and deployment. By concentrating on the nuances you find most relevant, the book offers a unique pathway to deepen your understanding and build expert-level command over DCOM programming and architecture.

Unlike most Component Object Model books that skim the surface, Dale Rogerson's Inside Com Microsoft's Component Object Model digs into the intricacies of COM technology with a focus on practical understanding. While the edition is marketed as an economy paperback, it offers a detailed 404-page exploration of COM, COM+, DCOM, and ATL, making it a solid resource for developers seeking to deepen their technical grasp. You’ll find this book particularly useful if you're working with Microsoft’s COM architecture or developing applications that interact with COM components. Although it lacks extensive narrative flourish, the book delivers solid technical grounding essential for software engineers and system architects engaged with Windows-based software integration.

David Chappell challenges the conventional wisdom that understanding ActiveX and OLE requires deep prior programming expertise by presenting these Microsoft technologies in an accessible way for both developers and managers. He explains the evolution from component software to OLE and then to the Component Object Model, clarifying complex topics like structured storage and OLE Automation with precise examples. This book is particularly useful if you want to grasp the strategic significance of COM technologies within software development projects, especially those involving Windows environments. By the end, you'll gain a clear sense of how these components interact and why they matter for building interoperable software systems, making it a practical read for technical leaders and developers alike.

Frank E. Redmond III’s background in software development and deep experience with Microsoft technologies informs this detailed exploration of distributed applications through the Microsoft Distributed Component Object Model. The book walks you through core concepts like COM+, DCOM, and ATL, providing practical examples and appendices that clarify complex implementation details. You’ll gain a solid understanding of how to architect distributed systems with Microsoft’s component model, making it particularly useful if you work with enterprise-level software integration or middleware. While demanding some prior knowledge, it’s a focused guide for developers aiming to deepen their grasp of Microsoft’s distributed computing framework.

This tailored book explores the practical development of Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM) through a focused, accelerated learning path crafted specifically for your background and goals. It covers foundational principles such as COM architecture, interface design, and memory management, while guiding you through real-world application development with daily lessons that build skills progressively. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with the complexities of COM, matching your specific interests and experience level, and helping you gain hands-on expertise in component creation, interaction, and deployment within Windows environments.

When Adam Denning and Roger Heinen explore OLE controls, they pull back the curtain on the inner workings of reusable Windows program elements that many developers take for granted. This book doesn't just skim the surface; it dives into the architecture and implementation details, guiding you through how to build your own OLE custom controls with precision. You'll gain practical understanding of componentware construction within the Component Object Model framework, including how these controls fit into larger Windows applications. If you're a developer aiming to deepen your grasp of Windows programming and component building, this book gives you the technical foundation to create more modular, maintainable software.