a database that lists the objects, properties, methods, and events exposed by an OLE server application
a file containing information about on COM objects
a file that can be either freestanding or embedded as a resource inside an EXE or DLL
a file that lists descriptions of the object model (objects, properties, and methods) of a program or service provider
a language neutral description of all the objects and functions exposed by a server
a run-time representation of the interfaces supported by an object
a standard mechanism for publishing the properties and interfaces for a COM object