• An ActiveX control is a simple Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) object with special capabilities that allows it to be added to an existing application. Programmers use ActiveX controls because the controls can be easily dropped into an application without writing additional code. There are several different ActiveX controls available for use. Depending on the software that a developer is attempting to build, one ActiveX control may be more suitable than another.
  
  

ActiveX Control

• A traditional ActiveX control is designed for input into a form-like container. The ActiveX control can be automated and even fire events into its form-like container. An ActiveX control can save its state and restore a previous save state. The save state that ActiveX provides is also editable by the user.
  
  

Non-Visual ActiveX Control

• A non-visual ActiveX control cannot be seen by the user when the application it supports is being used in real-time. Non-visual ActiveX controls refrain from creating windows at runtime. Non-visual ActiveX controls create windows during design time so that developers can manipulate their properties.
  
  

Data-Bound ActiveX Control

• Data-bound ActiveX controls receive information from a data source. The data source usually originates from a field in a database, but could come from any source. The control's specific information ("Text" or "Value") becomes bound to the value of the data source.
  
  

Internet Data Controls

• Internet Data Controls are specifically designed to download data from a remote Internet address. Internet Data Controls download data in synchronization with the Web browser to update the display of images and information in real time as data arrives.
  
  

Downloadable Controls

• Downloadable controls are a type of ActiveX control that can be downloaded from the Internet and locally installed. The control also contains a signature that identifies the ActiveX control's author. The user determines whether or not the control can exhibit the desired behavior based on its actions toward untrusted data and scripts.