Most people think of ActiveX as a separate development language that allows
for the creation of applet-like applications that can be downloaded and run within
Microsoft's Web browser. While ActiveX controls
can indeed be run within Internet Explorer, and such controls are perhaps the most common
and popular use of the technology, "ActiveX" itself represents not a specific development
language, but rather a larger collection of resource sharing and communication
technologies based in MS OLE and COM. ActiveX controls can, therefore, actually be written
in multiple languages/IDEs; including C++, VB, and Delphi.
- The ABCs of MFC ActiveX Controls
- Solid tutorial from the Microsoft Developer's Network on making ActiveX controls.
- ActiveX Controls
- Not a single article, but a collection of developer related tutorials from MSDN,
including an overall intorduction to the topic.
- Security Tradeoffs: Java vs. ActiveX
- Though dated, this 1997 paper from from the Princeton Secure Internet Programming Team
offers a good overview of the security risks inherent in these two key browser-application
- Microsoft's ActiveX Controls site
- Go to the source for ActiveX information, news, resources, and developer information.
Part of a larger sub-section of the Microsoft devoted to all things COM. See also Microsoft's
Internet Explorer Components Gallery.
- Tom's ActiveX Control and ATL FAQs
- Links to Frequently Asked Questions about ActiveX and ATL, as well as ActiveX Control and ATL listserv archives. From WidgetWare.
- ActiveX - The Unofficial Guide
- Tutorials, tools, articles, links, and examples of ActiveX.
- Mozilla ActiveX Project
- Headed by Adam Lock. This offshoot from the popular Mozilla development project has
developed an ActiveX control that encapsulates the Gecko layout engine.
- CodeGuru: ActiveX Programming
- Components and articles submitted by user/developers. Includes reader submitted comments
with each article.
- Download.com's ActiveX section, with categories such as Application Development,
Browser Enhancements, Database Connectivity, etc.
- Large catalog of ActiveX Controls submitted by the actual control manufacturers.
- ActiveX Control
- Controls available for purchase and download in multiple categories, including
Graphics & Multimedia, Databases, Windows GUI, etc.
- Web Expressions: ActiveX
- Resource links. From the Resource Central section of Web Expressions.
- Definition, and resource links from Webopedia.com. See also
- Open Directory (DMOZ)
- The Open Directory's collection of COM related links and components.
- Links to ActiveX related articles and component downloads.
Comments are welcome
Revised: January 30, 2003