Using COM with/from a high level tool like VFP is a snap and that is
the goal of COM. You don't need to be an expert to use COM in your
applications.


However, to truly understand the benefits of COM requires a fundamental
understanding how COM works beneath the covers. COM provides so many
abstractions to the operating system that using it effectively in
Enterprise applications effectively requires understanding what goes
on under the hood.

For most applications this is probably not necessary. If you build
desktop applications that also sport an Automation interface, you'll
never have to worry about this.

But if you build apps that run on IIS in a high volume environment
then understanding the mechanics of COM become important. In particular
understanding threading models and how objects are using resources
become critical.

My forthcoming book has a chapter and a half of advanced COM and
COM integration issues, which I believe are the most important ones
for VFP developers.



Bottom line. Learn the basics of how to use COM which is easy enough,
and always remember your OO principles and you'll be well on your way.
When hit the larger scale apps you'll have to research mroe, but you'll
have a better understanding and appreciation of what COM can accomplish
by that time.