Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Development:
Programming Interfaces

> ## Using COM Objects in the 4GL

> Both ActiveX Automation objects and ActiveX controls are COM objects—objects that conform to the specifications of the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM). As such, COM objects have common features that govern the programming of both Automation objects and ActiveX controls in the 4GL.

> This chapter describes the common features of COM objects supported by Progress and how to work with them in a 4GL application and your development environment, in the following sections:

> - How COM objects differ from Progress widgets

> - Obtaining access to COM objects

> - Accessing COM object properties and methods

> - Managing COM objects in an application

> - Locating COM object information on your system

> For an overview of the architectural elements that support COM objects in Progress, see Chapter 8, " Introduction to External Program Interfaces." For information on COM object support that is unique for Automation objects, see Chapter 15 "ActiveX Automation Support" and for ActiveX controls, see Chapter 16, " ActiveX Control Support." The information in this chapter applies equally to Automation objects and ActiveX controls, except where noted.

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