All right, so I've never bought anything on Steam before, as I very much prefer to have a physical copy (unless it is digital only obviously).

Orange Box is on sale at Steam for only $10. Very tempting, though I have a question about that.

Do I get an "activation code" with it, even though it's a digital copy? I'm referring to if you were to buy the retail copy, and an a code is included to authenticate with Steam.

If so, could I download the game, and then just buy a used physical copy later, as use the same activation code from my downloaded version?

Edit: Just noticed Dragon Age Ultimate is on sale at Steam as well. Apply my above questions to that as well.