ActiveX Document
Encyclopedia
ActiveX Document is a computer file
in the form of a compound (text-based)
document that allows a container application to use the full capabilities of server applications. This approach distinguishes between a document, such as a word document or video clip
, and the software that can be applied
(open, edit, display, save) to the document. ActiveX
documents consist of two components: the 'document' itself and the 'ActiveX DLL or EXE server' that supports it.
A single server
can support an unlimited number of documents, just as Microsoft Word
can support any number of document files. The server for an ActiveX document can be an EXE or a DLL server. The document generally has the extension .VBD, though ActiveX documents can be stored within other files as well, using a mechanism called OLE
structured storage
.
Computer file
A computer file is a block of arbitrary information, or resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage. A file is durable in the sense that it remains available for programs to use after the current program has finished...
in the form of a compound (text-based)
Compound document
In computing, a compound document is a document type typically produced using word processing software, and is a regular text document intermingled with non-text elements such as spreadsheets, pictures, digital videos, digital audio, and other multimedia features...
document that allows a container application to use the full capabilities of server applications. This approach distinguishes between a document, such as a word document or video clip
Video clip
Video clips are short clips of video, usually part of a longer recording. The term is also more loosely used to mean any short video less than the length of a traditional television program.- On the Internet :...
, and the software that can be applied
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
(open, edit, display, save) to the document. ActiveX
ActiveX
ActiveX is a framework for defining reusable software components in a programming language-independent way. Software applications can then be composed from one or more of these components in order to provide their functionality....
documents consist of two components: the 'document' itself and the 'ActiveX DLL or EXE server' that supports it.
A single server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
can support an unlimited number of documents, just as Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
can support any number of document files. The server for an ActiveX document can be an EXE or a DLL server. The document generally has the extension .VBD, though ActiveX documents can be stored within other files as well, using a mechanism called OLE
Object Linking and Embedding
Object Linking and Embedding is a technology developed by Microsoft that allows embedding and linking to documents and other objects. For developers, it brought OLE Control eXtension , a way to develop and use custom user interface elements...
structured storage
Structured storage
COM Structured Storage is a technology developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows operating system for storing hierarchical data within a single file...
.