ActiveX

There are two ways to add ActiveX controls to your ACUCOBOL-GT program:

1. Using the ACUCOBOL-GT utility, AXDEFGEN. This method requires some manual program modification, but it provides the flexibility of adding any type of control or COM object to your program, even non-graphical controls like a spell checker or automation server (like Microsoft Word, Excel, or Internet Explorer). This method involves running AXDEFGEN, adding new COPY files to the project, modifying a few sections of code, and compiling. This is the recommended method if you are required to license ActiveX controls that are deployed with your application: the generated COPY file embeds the required LICENSE-KEY, which is recognised by the compiler when compiling your applications for deployment.
2. Using the AcuBench Screen Designer. This method is the easiest, but it limits you to only graphical controls. It involves adding the control to the Component Toolbox, drawing it onto the Screen Designer screen form, modifying properties if desired, then generating code. This method is described in detail in the AcuBench User's Guide.

ACUCOBOL-GT defines a control type named ACTIVE-X that it uses internally whenever you CREATE, MODIFY, INQUIRE, or DESTROY an ActiveX control.

In the vast majority of cases, you will not use the ACTIVE-X control type directly. Instead, you will specify the name of the specific ActiveX control type. This name can be determined by looking at the ***Primary Interface*** section in the COPY file generated by AXDEFGEN.