COM objects abstract a group of functions in software into a redistributable binary component that can interface with a system in ways a scripting language can't interface. Developed by Microsoft, COM objects are traditionally used in more commonplace Windows-based programming environments such as Visual Basic and Active Server Pages (ASP). There are slight variations in the implementation between PHP 4.0 and PHP 3.0. Version 4.0 of PHP uses the 'new COM' constructor, whereas version 3.0 uses com_load() . These functions are also available only in Windows versions of PHP.
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