Active X
Active X is routinely downloaded and operated by the web browser. It is not a programming language, though it provides rules on different applications with information sharing specifications. Active X is enhanced usually with Visual Basic, Java programming and other languages. Like Java applets, Active X provides features for web applications that are not available in HTML. One of the differences is Active X can completely access the Windows operating system, which gives it an advantage to more authority and disadvantage as it may also break or harm existing files and programs in the computer.
A registration system was eventually introduced by Microsoft, which can classify and validate Active X before installation to prevent system malfunction. Though Active X may have the advantage to better control it can only operate on a Windows environment whereas Java applets can be inscribed to function in every kind of platform.
Active X Development
The inadequate performance of OLE 2.0 (Object Linking and Embedding) on COM’s (Component Object Model) MFC (Microsoft Foundation Class) gave way to the development of Active X technology.
It was in the year 1996 when Internet Explorer 3.0 with Active X feature was introduced. Active X is automatically downloaded and installed if the browsed page requires it to function. However, the ability of Active X to install itself without the user’s permission did not get a favorable response to most consumers – control and security issues were raised. Microsoft had to provide additional security features to address these issues, such as deliberate declaration of controls that they are scripting safe, installation package digital signing requirement, list of bad controls maintained by Internet Explorer, and rigid default settings on security.
Licensed Active X control in Internet Explorer
Computers that are not registered Active X user cannot load this application in their Inter Explorer properly. Usually using Microsoft Visual C to create control would only load on the HTML of the computer where it was initially built, but it would not run on other computers.
Non-licensed computers are required to create .Ipk file (license package) to install licensed control in their HTML. License Packaging Authority Tool application provides the .lpk file which sustain licenses to operate a licensed control in the HTML.
HTML additional control feature
Below are the necessary steps to set your licensed Active X control on an HTML page.
- Open the License Packaging Authority program on a licensed Active X control user.
- Select Active X control (licensed) that you wish to use on the page of HTML, then select add.
- Choose the “Save - Exit”. Enter desired name for this setting, which will be an LPK file afterwards.
- Provide a License Manager tag on the HTML page. This should be primarily set before other tags. Installed with the Internet Explorer is an Active X Control License Manager.
Note: License Manager CLASS ID “5220cb21-c88d-11cf-b347-00aa00a28331 is the CLASS ID that should be used whenever you need to address the LPK file. Maintain the Name of “PARAM” tag “LPKPath”, and then provide the License Manager’s object Value for tag with the path and name of LPK file. The path could be an associate path but should be the same as the URL on other domains. This is to comply with the one to one ratio of LPK file to every HTML page. It is important to include every Active X control of the page when generating an LPK file.
The advantage of an Active X is that it allows you to set-up interactive web pages with current components in a fast and hassle-free way. Many licensed and free Active X are available to choose from, which can provide you with the access to set up additional features on your web site.
One of the drawbacks of Active X is that it can cause some security issues or expose your entire system to different vulnerabilities. This is because the Active X control in itself has the same extent of authority as the one using it, which may break or harm your computer or even extend damages to the entire network where you belong.
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