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nsCOMPtr

Welcome to the nsCOMPtr page.

nsCOMPtr Documentation

• The Complete nsCOMPtr User's Manual describes a `smart-pointer' class for [XP]COM. This document should have all the information you need. It's really three documents in one:
• The Getting Started Guide is short, to the point, and will help you if you've never used nsCOMPtrs before.
• The Reference Manual explains things in more detail than you could possibly want.
• The Frequently Asked Questions may help you fix a broken build, or direct you to the right spot in the reference manual.

Help Wanted: I want the nsCOMPtr User's Manual to be useful, particularly to people who haven't used nsCOMPtrs before. Your feedback is valuable. Please read the Getting Started Guide and let me know what it's missing, what helped you, and what confused you.

• Code bloat [LONG, summary at top] reports on bloat tests comparing raw pointers, nsCOMPtrs, and `nsIPtr's.
• Some COM Ownership Guidelines gives a brief set of guidelines to help you build a supportable ownership model.
• Retired: getter_doesnt_AddRef is gone (Re: nsCOMPtr questions) is an email message describing getter_AddRefs, the now defunct getter_doesnt_AddRef, and some esoterica about services. This document is retired, but still accurate. Prefer the User's Manual mentioned above.
• Retired: getter_AddRefs and friends (Re: nsCOMPtr questions) is an email message that further delves into getter_AddRefs and alternatives. This document is retired; the innaccuracies are noted at the top. Prefer the User's Manual mentioned above.

See Also

• The XPCOM Home Page.
• C++ portability guide
• A Reference Implementation of QueryInterface shows one good way to implement QueryInterface().