Learn About The Basics of ActiveX

Microsoft created ActiveX in the late 1990s as an extension on their "Component Object Model" and "Object Linking and Embedding" features. ActiveX is like a mold that is used to create more molds. These molds provide a specific action or series of actions with the operating system. ActiveX controls function on their own, separate from the program code that is used to implement them. As technology evolves at an ever-faster pace, new ActiveX technology is developed accordingly in order to keep up.

ActiveX Basics

It's the Component Object Model that provides the basic building block of ActiveX. The COM assists in the creation of a program that works in an ActiveX environment when it's executed within a network.

Many people compare ActiveX to Java, invented by Sun Microsystems. They both offer a significant amount of functionality in an online environment. For example, Internet users can take advantage of chat rooms, Internet forums, message boards and online multimedia applications.

You might not know it but several of the Windows programs that you use employ ActiveX controls. Applications like Microsoft Office, Media Player and Internet Explorer utilize ActiveX controls to package their functions and features as ActiveX controls in and of themselves. Once they're packaged as such they can be placed and used in other programs. For example, they can be embedded in an Internet Explorer web browser and shared.

ActiveX Controls

ActiveX controls are the bits and pieces of data that actually make up the ActiveX technology. They allow applications to be shared and distributed over the Internet in web browsers. These applications can be specific to the web browser so that viewers can access specific information such as video, games, animation, etc. Developers and programmers create ActiveX controls by employing C#, C++, Visual Basic, ATL, Borland and MFC languages.

Unlike Java applets, ActiveX controls are only able to function within the MS OS and Internet Explorer. On the contrary, Java applets function in almost all web browsers and operating systems. Programmers are able to create a higher degree of authority over Windows as opposed to Java applets.

Computer users should always use caution when dealing with ActiveX. Viruses often use ActiveX controls as a means of gaining access to computers that don't use the proper anti-virus software against them.

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