Defining Interfaces

A Visual Basic .NET interface is neither a Visual Basic .NET class nor a COM class. The Component Object Model (COM) is language-neutral. Although Visual Basic .NET interfaces are also language-neutral, they represent an evolutionary progression from COM and ActiveX. Visual Basic .NET interfaces are managed code and COM is considered unmanaged code, meaning there is not a 1:1 mapping between COM and .NET interfaces. For now, suffice it to say that COM interfaces are not .NET interfaces. COM interop allows COM objects and .NET interfaces to interoperate; the subject of interoperation is discussed in Chapter 14, “.NET Framework.” In this section we will be looking at how to define and implement Visual Basic .NET interfaces and ...

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