hey all.

i am allocating an object using
Activator.CreateInstance(System.Type);
I get a reference to the Com object.
however, i am not sure how to close down the object that i have.

do i need to call Marshal.ReleaseComObject()?
will the garbage collector collect it without me calling it
ReleaseComObject?

what about all the interfaces that i 'cast' out of the Com object?
do i need to call ReleaseComObject for each one of them?

what about calling ReleaseComObject in general,
do i need to call it in order to release the object immediately,
meaning, if i do not call ReleaseComObject, than the garbage collector will
do it for me?

what about Com interfaces that are pointing to each other,
in an intricate mesh?
like a linked list?
do i need to release the list each node in an orderly manner?
or simply stop pointing at its head?
meaning, if i stop pointing at the head, will the entire linked list be
released?

what about hardware resources held by a Com interface,
do i need to tell the Com interface to release the resource?
or can i simply stop pointing at the Com interface and expect the garbage
collector to release all hardware resources?

please, i know that i am asking a lot,
but i do not know where to read about this.

if anyone has a source of information that i can read this,
i would be greatfull if you point me at it.

thank a lot.

assaf