Definition: ActiveX is a Microsoft creation designed to work in a similar manner to Sun Microsystem's Java. The main goal is to create platform-independent programs that can be used over and over on different operating systems. ActiveX is a loose standards definition though and not a specific language. An ActiveX component or control can be run on any ActiveX compatible platform.
ActiveX defines the methods with which these COM objects and ActiveX controls interact with the system but it is not tied to a specific language. ActiveX controls and components can be created in various programming languages such as Visual C++, Visual Basic or even VBScript.