There are two directions using EZ JCom: Java to COM, and COM to Java.

Using EZ JCom in either direction is very straightforward. You give it Java classes and pick some methods and fields, and it will give you a COM component that can be easily used by VB, C# or C++.

Alternatively, you give it a COM object, and it will generate a set of Java source files, plus a command file for compiling these Java source files. Your Java program can then use these to

• instantiate COM objects
• get their interfaces
• call methods provided by the COM objects
• register event listeners for any events the COM objects might generate.

If your COM object needs to have a visual display (e.g. an ActiveX control, or an OCX), EZ JCom will let you embed it in a Swing or AWT program.

When you download and run EZ JCom, you will see a wizard interface as shown below.

The COM object can be specified in one of three ways:

• Locate the DLL, EXE, OCX, OLB or TLB file that describes the COM object. DLL and OCX files are most common. Sometimes, a separate TLB file contains the description. For stand-alone servers, the file may be an EXE file.
• Search from the list of all registered COM objects.
• Specify the Prog-ID of the COM object. This is typically a string of the form

    objtype.objName

Once the COM object has been specified, you will be prompted for a package name, an output directory, and the name you want to use for the "JNI DLL". The "JNI DLL" is a file that will be used as the bridge between Java and your COM object. For evaluation versions, EZ JCom will further prompt you for the steps required to build your JNI DLL.

Once all this is done, simply compile the Java files and use them! EZ JCom will generate command files that can be used for the compilation, and also for generating Javadoc.

Once the generated class files (or a jar file containing them) have been placed in your CLASSPATH, you can use them from any Java program or IDE. Calling the COM object now is as simple as calling any other Java API!