Hour 21

1:
If you use a .NET object within a COM-based application, do you need to release any interface pointers you obtain or does the common language runtime still perform garbage collection?

A1:
Because your COM object is not running within the confines of the common language runtime, you must release your interface pointers.

2:
What happens when a parameter to a method within a .NET object is a custom data type that you created and you wish to build a type library using the assembly that contains this custom data type?

A2:
You will have to implement a custom marshaler.

3:
If TlbImp.exe creates an assembly, then what does the tool TlbExp.exe do and how is it different from the RegAsm.exe tool used during this hour?

A3:
TlbExp.exe creates a type library from an assembly. RegAsm.exe does the same, but it also registers that type library, whereas TlbExp.exe does not.

Top

1:	If you use a .NET object within a COM-based application, do you need to release any interface pointers you obtain or does the common language runtime still perform garbage collection?
A1:	Because your COM object is not running within the confines of the common language runtime, you must release your interface pointers.
2:	What happens when a parameter to a method within a .NET object is a custom data type that you created and you wish to build a type library using the assembly that contains this custom data type?
A2:	You will have to implement a custom marshaler.
3:	If `TlbImp.exe` creates an assembly, then what does the tool `TlbExp.exe` do and how is it different from the `RegAsm.exe` tool used during this hour?
A3:	`TlbExp.exe` creates a type library from an assembly. `RegAsm.exe` does the same, but it also registers that type library, whereas `TlbExp.exe` does not.