difference between 2 files

[heureka]

what is the difference between file with *.ocx and *.dll
how would 1 be able to read the file (any specific program recommended)
thanks

[RWSchlatter]

Not actually a registry question - but J wouldn't now where else to place it either /images/w3t/icons/wink.gif.

"...difference between file with *.ocx and *.dll ..."
A .DLL is a code module and used to split down large .EXE files and to share common code. The header shows a list of routines contained in the dll and can be used by the calling program.

A .OCX is nothing else than a .DLL (as far the structure is concerned). But it is special cause files with this file extension are targeted to support controls (originally, but now also COM objects - components - in general). To follow the rules, an OCX must implement a minimal set of routines (listed in the header) with standardized names so that other software can connect to it without knowing about every feature in advance. To be known to the rest of the world (or only to software on your machine) it must register itself (eg use Regsvr32.exe).

"...how would 1 be able to read the file ..."
You dont "read" it - it is a executable code module.
If you want to know some information about an OCX, right-click it and look at its Properties sheet for some basic info.
Right-click it and use QuickView to look at the file contents, for a OCX like for a DLL it should shouw you the header information (eg list of entry points).
To know how to use the Interface that the calling program can use, open your preferred development tool, you will find a menu item "Reference" (in MS toolset) and the tool will prepare to connect to the OCX and read out the available definitions (as a Properties Sheet).
You may have a separate tool, an Object Browser, available on you system, that shows the Properties also.
And of course with one of the many disassembly tools you could take the code module apart (first read your software license - most software house don't like this).

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Regards - Richard