Abstract: A prototype object reference for use in a distributed object computing environment is described. The object reference includes a specified object reference portion and an unspecified object reference portion. The prototype object reference is transformed into a valid object reference by insertion of specification information into the unspecified object reference portion. An indirect object reference for use in a distributed object computing environment comprising is also described, comprising a persistent object reference portion for communicating with a location service; and an object key; wherein a direct object reference is generated from the indirect object reference by insertion of the object key into a prototype direct object reference comprising transient information sufficient to communicate with the current location of an object referenced by the object key.