COM and DCOM

To connect with COM components, Uniface makes use of the Microsoft's DCOM architecture. Uniface includes a COM connector that provides an interface with DCOM, thereby enabling Uniface components to call and be called by COM components.

The COM connector is software that enables Uniface to call out to COM objects and COM clients to call in to Uniface components. Neither side of the conversation needs to know the implementation details of the other side. COM objects appear to be Uniface services and the other way around.

For call out, ProcScript in Uniface components can create an instance of call, and release COM objects when needed. No special knowledge of COM is required in the ProcScript; it simply seems as if ProcScript is calling other Uniface services.

For call in, the COM connector exposes Uniface services as complete COM objects. COM clients can start, call, and stop services, as required.

Uniface can also call remote Uniface services through the COM connector. The COM connector enables you to export service signatures to a COM Interface DLL, which can then be installed where required using standard Windows functionality.