An object browser is a tool that allows a user to examine the components involved in a software package, such as Microsoft Word^[1] or software development packages.^[2]

An object browser will usually display the hierarchy of components; the properties and events associated with the objects; and other pertinent information; it also provides an interface for interacting with objects.^[3]

This hierarchy of components and its properties could be described with a path (XPath) for identifying a component within the hierarchy.^[4]