ActiveX client

Any program or piece of code that accesses the functionality and the content of an ActiveX or OLE object.

ActiveX component

Physical file that contains classes, which are definitions of objects. For example, a .dll, .exe or .ocx file.

ActiveX control

A user interface element created using ActiveX technology.

ActiveX object

Objects an application or programming tool exposes to ActiveX clients.

Application object

The top-level object in an application’s object hierarchy. The Application object identifies the application to the system, and typically becomes active when the application starts. Specified by the appobj attribute in the type library.

Automation

COM-based technology that enables interoperability among ActiveX components, including OLE components. Formerly referred to as OLE Automation.

Automation controller

An application, programming tool, or scripting language that accesses Automation objects. Visual Basic is an Automation controller.

Automation object

An instance of a class defined within an application that is exposed for access by other applications or programming tools by Automation interfaces.

Automation server

An application, type library, or other source that makes Automation objects available for programming by other applications, programming tools, or scripting languages.