COM Interop vs P/Invoke

Developers should learn COM Interop when working on meets developers should learn p/invoke when building . Here's our take.

COM Interop

Nice Pick

Developers should learn COM Interop when working on

Pros

• NET projects that need to interact with legacy COM-based software, such as older Windows applications, ActiveX controls, or Office automation
• Related to: .net-framework, csharp

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

P/Invoke

Developers should learn P/Invoke when building

Pros

• NET applications that need to interact with native Windows APIs (e
• Related to: csharp, dotnet-framework

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use COM Interop if: You want net projects that need to interact with legacy com-based software, such as older windows applications, activex controls, or office automation and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use P/Invoke if: You prioritize net applications that need to interact with native windows apis (e over what COM Interop offers.

The Bottom Line

COM Interop wins

Developers should learn COM Interop when working on