The Component Object Model, otherwise known as COM, allows for the development of components that go one step past implementation inheritance, as seen in C++ classes, to interface inheritance. Here, only the specification of the intended behavior is inherited. This is done by defining, one or more 'Interfaces' that specify a group of possibly related functions and properties, which are then implemented by a 'CoClass'. The end result is a component that allows its implementation, coclass, to be changed, without the recompilation of the program that uses the component, so long as the interfaces are never altered.
The purpose of this thesis is to develop a tool, which provides a visual browser for the developer, with regard to COM projects. Visually, the information is presented in a graphical form that the user desires and should already be familiar with. The browse component allows the developer to understand the interconnections between the various interfaces and coclasses. What results is a powerful tool that allows a large or small COM based development design to be easily explored and understood by the development team. Ultimately, this translates into increased productivity in the development process.