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It must be by design so why is that ?
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There are several reasons.

1. COM as a technology is being phased out in favor of something that is allegedly better.

2. Even if COM were not being phased out - the xbase market is not one that has a chance of significant growth that warrants investment.

In spite of that - Fox is a good tool - capable of many tasks. That is why the product continues to keep above water - that and the fact that the product is managed within a tight financial boundary - that gets tighter and tighter.