Creating a Visual Basic Client Application that Uses a COM Component

Here are the main steps for using a COM component's exposed objects in your VB application:

1. Set a reference to the server in your application or know the server's name and its classnames.

2. Be familiar with the server's object members.

3. Declare an instance of the server object or objects that you want to use.

4. Manipulate the declared objects in your code through their members (properties, methods, and events).

5. Release the object instance from memory when your application is done with it.

6. Provide for error handling in case the COM component's code generates an error.

The following sections detail the steps to use a COM component's exposed objects.

• Setting a Reference to a COM Component

• Using the Object Browser to Find Out About a COM Component's Object Model

• Using the New Keyword to Declare and Instantiate a Class Object from a COM Component

• Late and Early Binding of Object Variables

• Using the CreateObject and GetObject Functions to Instantiate Objects

• Using a Component Server's Object Model

• Manipulating the Component's Methods and Properties

• Releasing an Instance of an Object

• Detecting Whether a Variable Is Instantiated