If you want to run an existing COM application on a Tru64 UNIX server or client, there are only two things you need to do:

1. Make sure that your Tru64 UNIX platform has the following characteristics:
   • An Alpha AXP Workstation with a CD-ROM drive. Compaq suggests that the platform have 128MB RAM.
   • The Version 4.0D (or later) or the Version 5.0 (or later) Tru64 UNIX operating system. The Version 4.0D and 4.0E operating system products were called Digital UNIX prior to the merger of Digital and Compaq. After the merger, the operating system was renamed to Compaq Tru64 UNIX. This book uses the current name, Tru64 UNIX.
2. Install, configure, and activate the COM run-time environment that Compaq has tailored for Tru64 UNIX. This chapter describes that run-time environment and how it compares to the native Windows NT COM platform.

The COM run-time environment on Tru64 UNIX duplicates the Windows NT services and infrastructure that support the execution of COM applications. The COM run-time bridges the gap between Windows NT and UNIX and provides a compatible environment for the execution of COM applications.

There is another thing you must do if you wish to develop new COM applications on a Tru64 UNIX server in addition to running existing applications. You must install the COM Software Development Kit when you install the COM run-time environment. The development kit contains the MIDL compiler and other tools you must have to build COM applications. Chapter 16 describes how to use the compilers and...