What is ActiveX and ActiveX controls?

ActiveX: A loosely defined set of technologies developed by Microsoft for sharing information among different applications. ActiveX is an outgrowth of two other Microsoft technologies called OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) and COM (Component Object Model). ActiveX can be very confusing because it applies to a whole set of COM-based technologies. Most people, however, think [...]

COM/ActiveX objects

COM stands for Component Object Model. This technology allows applications to share and reuse common functionality. For example, DirectX is a set of COM objects used by computer games to play music and sounds, receive input from joysticks, and communicate with 3D graphics cards.

ActiveX objects (or “controls”) are visual components used by software programs and [...]