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 | 13 June, 2006 |
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COM (Common Object Model) is MicroSoft's standard method for sharing binary code across different applications and languages without sharing the actual source code. COM uses a binary standard. This standard specifies that the binary modules must be compiled using a specific structure, and that the COM objects must be organized in memory, in a specific manner. The binary standard allows the DLLs to be used by all languages.
A component is a reusable piece of software in binary form that can, with relatively little effort, be plugged into other components. In essence, the Prometheus COM components can be integrated into other applications such as Pandora, Burn-P3 or SFMS.
The important principles of COM include:
- Reuseability of the component objects,
- Interoperability of the binary standard,
- Allowance for distributed capabilities.
COM is a true system object model that provides an architecture that supports a distributed, evolving system.
Prometheus is engineered using 5 separate COMs. These are called the low-level interfaces. They include:
- FuelCom
- FWICom
- GridCom
- FireEngine
- WeatherCom
To facilitate the use of these low-level interfaces, an umbrella or wrapper COM was developed. This high level interface is called PrometheusCOM. It provides a more user-friendly interface for programmers to communicate with the low level COMs. A separate PrometheusCOM Programmer's Manual is available from the public download page.
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Background