What is exactly an activeX?

Hey guys!

I bought a book, that say a little about activeX..
It came with a little example about the clock and a date thing...

But I didnt understood very well what is an active x.... Its something inside of VB? Like a form, Module? Or its a new program language?

I didnt understood the point of using an activeX in the example, cause I could do the same thing (the clock and the date) with labels...and timers.. and things like that....

In what situation activeX is required? The impression that I have is that is something like the macromedia flash? Its right?

Thanks for your time,

Elminster

ActiveX is basically another name for COM.

Its not any language or special thing its more like a set of rules that the program must follow, its a standard. And since all COM objects follow the same rules this allows the object to be used with any language that does also. For instance an ActiveX (COM) DLL created in VB could be used in Delphi or C++ because they both can work with COM objects.

ActiveX controls r components, usually with user interface that u can insert into other host application (like web pages, other windows controls etc).
ActiveX control is a lightweight OLE control, that is, OLE control was the former and had implement a dozens of interfaces, ActiveX control implement a fewer COM interfaces, and intent for code reusable component.

Elminster,

Just like what Edneeis said, "ActiveX is basically another name for COM". But of course if you don't know what COM is then that doesn't really help. Just think of COM or ActiveX as a grand scale of a function. A function is created so that you can reuse it over and over, without having to retype that section of code again right?

Well according to how I see COM or ActiveX, it is just a small program, function library or controls that can be use over and over again. It is like where you keep all your best functions or procedures that you use all the time. This way it is on a grand scale and future programs that you create in the future can also use them over again.


There are 3 common types of ActiveX.
-ActiveX Controls
-ActiveX Dll
-ActiveX Exe

ActiveX Controls are just additional controls that you build. An example of a regular control is a textbox. An activex control is just a control that is enhanced or something that you create to BE USE OVER AND OVER for your special purpose. For example, you might want a control that has four textboxes and connects to the database. This is an in-process component and must have other program run it.

ActiveX Dll is basically functions that you use alot but it is a compile version so that other language or programs can use it too. Have you ever use ADO? You know how you have to reference it? Well that is one for of it. This is an in-process component and must have other program run it.

ActiveX Exe is basically similar to an ActiveX Dll but it can be run alone. This is an out-process component and can run by itself or by other program. A good example would be Microsoft Excel. Why? You can run Microsoft Excel by itself or you can have a copy of it run inside a Microsoft Word Document. The biggest thing about ActiveX Exe is because it is used to run on a remote computer. ActiveX Dll can be use as remote COM too but it is not recommended from what I read and also because it is an in-process.

Really thanks for the explanation guys!

ADO.. Hm.. I think I used it when my app had to "talk" with the database Access... Is it right?

Oh, just one more thing...This active X that we are talking about, is the same active X that is present in internet? Within the webpages? I think I read in the symantec page, that the future of the viruses will be made by active X and another component...
So it is possible to create an active X and use the same active X for web and for you vb app?

Thanks for your help guys!

Elminster

Quote:

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Originally posted by Elminster
ADO.. Hm.. I think I used it when my app had to "talk" with the database Access... Is it right?

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Correct!

Quote:

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Originally posted by Elminster
Oh, just one more thing...This active X that we are talking about, is the same active X that is present in internet? Within the webpages? I think I read in the symantec page, that the future of the viruses will be made by active X and another component...
So it is possible to create an active X and use the same active X for web and for you vb app?

---

Correct!

nah viruses will not be made by activeX controls...the person will be prompted before using it if wanna install it and most ppl dont want to, .NET has now assemblys and not activex, so it most probably will die in sometime time, not to talk that for example activeX in vb will need that amount of runtimes that some computers dont have ^^;

I'm jus wondering. If you can make an ActicX (thingy) in VB, and use it on a web page...is it then possible to make a search engine in VB using ActiveX. A search engine that can look for a word in all the pages of your home page????

does com object works with bc++5 too?

...many questions on this forum...no answers...hehhehe:D

Yes you can use activeX dlls or exes in ASP. You can also use activeX controls on webpages BUT the client machine would need the control in order to view the page properly if you did that.

As for bc++5, I don't know what that is sorry.

I guess that BC++ 5 = Borland C++ Version 5...am I right???

yes that is borland c++.
I know that vc++ support com but I think bc++5 doesn't? does it?

I'm not sure on that one, I know some non-Microsoft languages do, like Delphi so hopefully it does, but I'm not sure. I guess I should have just let someone else answer.

Checkout this thread for more details.

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...hreadid=225739