COMException Class
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
'Declaration <SerializableAttribute> _ <ComVisibleAttribute(True)> _ Public Class COMException Inherits ExternalException 'Usage Dim instance As COMException
/** @attribute SerializableAttribute() */ /** @attribute ComVisibleAttribute(true) */ public class COMException extends ExternalException
SerializableAttribute ComVisibleAttribute(true) public class COMException extends ExternalException
The common language runtime transforms well-known HRESULTs to.NET exceptions, enabling COM objects to return meaningful error information to managed clients. The HRESULT to exception mapping also works in the other direction by returning specific HRESULTs to unmanaged clients. For mapping details, see How to: Map HRESULTs and Exceptions.
When the runtime encounters an unfamiliar HRESULT (an HRESULT that lacks a specific, corresponding exception), it throws an instance of the COMException class. This all-purpose exception exposes the same members as any exception, and includes a public ErrorCode property that contains the HRESULT returned by the callee. If an error message is available to the runtime (obtained from the IErrorInfo interface or the Err object in Visual Basic, or in some cases from the operating system), the message is returned to the caller. However, if the COM component developer fails to include an error message, the runtime returns the eight-digit HRESULT in place of a message string. Having an HRESULT allows the caller to determine the cause of the generic exception.
Although you can use the COMException class to return specific HRESULTs to unmanaged clients, throwing a specific.NET exception is better than using a generic exception. Consider that managed clients as well as unmanaged clients can use your.NET object, and throwing an HRESULT to a managed caller is less comprehendible than throwing an exception.
System.Exception
System.SystemException
System.Runtime.InteropServices.ExternalException
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException
System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryServicesCOMException
Windows 98, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows CE, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows Mobile for Pocket PC, Windows Mobile for Smartphone, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Starter Edition
The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see System Requirements.