Jeffrey

>Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out a better understanding of COM objects...something simple (or is that living in a dream world?) or can someone explain to me in simple terms what are COM ojbects and how should they be implemented?

Component Object Model. A standardized interface addressing scheme, with supporting infrastructure in the Operating System, which allows a program (sometimes called a COM automation server) to be activated by another program.

Add a "D" in front and you get DCOM - Distributed COM, which can do the same thing with a program located on another physical computer.

That's the *very* simple answer. You now have to do your homework. After you have read the articles mentioned by the others, also read anything you can find on Windows DNA and Windows DNA 2000, which are heavily involved with component technologies.

You can also read in the VFP docs (search for "COM", "DCOM" and "Automation") and find examples that you can build yourself in VFP. That's one of the best teachers.