Even in the .NET era, COM-64 is still the simplest way to connect legacy and modern code — and keep critical Windows applications alive on both Intel and ARM.
We Went (Back) There
It’s easy to assume COM is obsolete now that .NET dominates modern Windows development. Yet many real-world systems and workflows still depend on it — and that’s why Paradigma Software updated Valentina COM ADKs to offer COM-64 for both Intel and ARM.
Legacy Still Lives
Thousands of ASP Classic and VB6 applications remain in daily use inside enterprises, factories, hospitals, and government offices. They can’t load .NET assemblies directly — but they can call COM. A 64-bit COM interface allows these systems to keep running while benefiting from modern 64-bit performance.
COM Works Everywhere Windows Runs
Windows now runs on both Intel and ARM, and COM is still part of the OS foundation. COM-64 makes it possible to move long-lived automation and database systems to new ARM laptops or servers without rewriting code.
A Universal Bridge
COM remains one of the easiest ways to expose local APIs to many languages — no web service, no runtime, no network overhead. It’s ideal for scripting, automation, and mixed-language projects.
Still the Fastest Local API
When you need tight, high-performance integration — e.g., connecting ValentinaDB or Valentina Reports directly from a local process — COM remains a lightweight, in-process solution.
| Tools That Use 64-bit COM |
|---|
| ASP Classic VB6 applications VBA in Office (Excel, Word, Access) PowerShell Windows Script Host (VBScript / JScript) Embarcadero Delphi & C++ Builder C++ (Most COM controls are written in C++) Python (via pywin32) Rust (see Designing a COM library for Rust) AutoHotkey and HTA apps Installer systems (Inno Setup, NSIS, MSI) |
See the original version of this article on Paradigma Software.