Microsoft COM (Component Object Model)
Looks Like a Key Core Technology
for Distributed EDA System Integration
Binary and network (DCOM) standard that allows two objects to communicate, regardless of what machine they are running on.
Can be used from C++, C, VB, Java, Delphi, …
Supports three types of objects: In-process (DLL), local (EXE), and remote (DLL or EXE)
New version COM+ under development