ActiveX is an Important Tool for Web Site Programmers

ActiveX was introduced by Microsoft in 1996. It is used in Windows operating system. It is also part of the Component Object Model (COM) and Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and object-oriented programming (OOP) technologies. It is the framework or set of rules that is used to create reusable software components or controls so that they share information. Reusable means that it can be used over and over again in other applications without having to be rewritten for each application.

The ActiveX controls can be described as small program building blocks or self-sufficient programs that can be run by Windows operating system. These software components or controls perform specific functions or set of functions. Some examples are command buttons, list boxes and dialog boxes. They are independent from the programming language used to implement them. In other words an ActiveX control can be written in many different languages and environments but still work no matter what other computer languages are being used. A software application may consist of one or more of the software components or controls.

I lot of Microsoft Windows applications use active controls to build their feature-set. ActiveX controls can be embedded into different software applications. The Internet Explorer browser is an ActiveX control and uses ActiveX to load other software applications into the browser. Internet Explorer even lets ActiveX controls to be embedded into web pages. The controls can be used to create software applications that work over the internet, such as ones used to gather data, view files and display animation. ActiveX controls can be automatically downloaded and executed by a web browser. This can make using the internet incredibly easy.
Unfortunately ActiveX can be used to install Malware. Malware is things like computer viruses and spyware.

Someone will use an ActiveX component to run malicious code and gain access to your computer and everything in it. Microsoft has developed a registration system to reduce the risk of Malware. Browsers identify and authenticate controls before downloading them. Internet Explorer 7 will display a warning when a site attempts to use an Active X control. You have to decide if you will allow it to. This hopefully prevents Malware from getting into your computer system.Sturat enjoys writing articles on topics like Active X and Active X articles. Visit ActiveX is an Important Tool for Web Site Programmers.