What is Active X

[surfing]

I was going to download something and a box came up to install Active X. Not being computer-wise, I didn't know what it was, but I obviously don't have it on my computer. Thought maybe someone could tell me and that it is ok to download. Thanks

Ginny

[The Tincat]

[edit] ActiveX Controls

An ActiveX control being created in Visual Basic 6An ActiveX control is a reusable component which implements the IDispatch interface. Such components do not amount to an entire application, rather they provide a small building-block that can be shared by different software. The fact that command buttons look the same in almost any program on a platform is an example of component reusability that is not just limited to ActiveX controls.

ActiveX controls can be compared in some sense to a Java applet, since both technologies strive to act as an abstraction layer between the developer and the operating system. From there, obvious differences surface. For instance, Java applets can run on nearly any platform, while ActiveX components are only compatible with a Microsoft web browser and a Microsoft operating system. ActiveX controls are also granted a much higher level of control over Windows than Java applets, making them both more powerful and dangerous. Malware, such as computer viruses and spyware, is often distributed as ActiveX applets in webpages.

ActiveX controls can be written in MFC, ATL, C++, Borland Delphi and Visual Basic. Common examples of ActiveX controls are the command button, list box, dialog boxes, and even the Internet Explorer browser.


[edit] Other ActiveX Technologies

[tmarie]

Ginny, if it helps any...I didnt think I had in download to my computer,,but John says I do...

[aztecjudy]

I will say this only about ACTIVE X .. with some programs or sites .. if ya dont' allow the download ya won't get the page to load .. and other sites .. it will download the page but wont' work correctly ... like the sites that use java ..