ActiveX is a framework for defining reusable software components (known as controls) that perform a particular function or a set of functions in Microsoft Windows in a way that's independent of the programming language used to implement them. A software application can then be composed from one or more of these components in order to provide its functionality. Introduction to ActiveX Controls at microsoft.com, accessed 18-Jan-2008 It was introduced in 1996 by Microsoft as a development of its Co… (More on Activex)