Simple question on COM RCW and Interop

[nfung]

I've consumed COM component from .NET applications using tblimp.exe to create a RCW. But sometimes, you can just "Add Reference"... When do I need "tblimp.exe" and when will I be able to just "Add Reference"?

Thanks.

[pareshgh]

adding a reference is called as Static Time Compilation of DLL/COM object.

using RunTime object realization is known as Dynamic COM object linking.

if you are sure about what type of library you are using you can always add from reference,

in later case ,
for example you want to use scanner driver and develop some inbuilt facilities for scanning mechanisms
so in that case you need to do that Runtime which is mainly called Dynamic Realization.

look in Reflection classes for more information