COM Objects within COM Objects

[JohnSchuetz]

OK...Here goes...
I have a series of COM objects that represent a data structure. I'll use a CAR object as an example...

The CAR object has references to numerous other objects...the ENGINE object, the TRANSMISSION object, etc...each containing the properties of that object. From the EXE, I can set each of these object's properties as follows...
car.engine.size = "5.0"
car.engine.miles = 23000
The problem come up when I have a many to 1 relationship, such as the TIRES object. Each instance of the CAR object has multiple instances of the TIRES object. I can't figure out how to get data into the TIRES object's properties. I have tried using both an ARRAY of TIRES objects and a COLLECTION of TIRES objects within the CARS object, but I can't seem to get data into the TIRES object from the EXE without passing in a seperate instance of the TIRES object from the EXE into the CAR object...

I have probably confused everyone more than I have explained my situation, but if ANYONE has ANY insight into this problem, PLEASE let me know...

Thanks in advance,
John Schuetz
[email protected]

Normally, if there exists a 1 to many relationship, the
Database will solve it by one of 2 methods:

First to teach my grandmother to suck eggs:
1. Add about a million variables to cover all concievable
instantiations for the many end;
2. Have a different table to represent the many end. Each
record is keyed in such a manner as to make it retrievable.

Presumably, you've thought of both methods and have
discarded each for good reasons.

There is a 3rd method. In the CAR example you could have a
delimited string represent the tires or sparkplugs, or
windows, or whathave you. Essentially, a delimited string
will represent the entries of a separate table. Each sub-
grouping of the string represents one of the objects in
exactly the same manner that a separate table does, but the
data is immediately available to the user. There is no
need for a retrieval.

If your interested, I have a suite of tools to deal with
delimited strings.

Good Luck
DerFarm