The Active Worlds SDK provides an easy way for programmers to develop applications that function within the Active Worlds virtual environment. The most common type of application for the SDK is a bot (typically an avatar that inhabits a virtual world and interacts with users, but which is driven by a computer program instead of a human being), however there are many other potential applications. For example, the SDK could be used to develop an automated program that explores a world and creates a map. Also, the SDK allows universe administrators to develop administration utilities to help manage their own Active Worlds universes.

The core component of the Visual Basic SDK Wrapper is the file awsdk**.dll, a Windows DLL that implements the entire Active Worlds client/server protocol. To develop an application using the Active Worlds SDK, a programmer simply writes a VB (Visual Basic) program. The compiled executable can be run from any PC anywhere as long as that PC has a network connection to the Active Worlds Universe and awsdk**.dll is available on that PC.

First time users of the SDK should start out by downloading the SDK, reading over these help files, and reviewing the sample programs.