Object linking and embedding
Object Linking and Embedding ( OLE , Eng. Object Linking and Embedding ) is one of Microsoft developed object system and protocol that the cooperation between different (OLE-enabled) applications and the creation of heterogeneous composite documents allows.
example
For example, a table that was created with a spreadsheet program can be integrated into a text document . The specialty is that this embedded table can be edited directly from the text program by double-clicking with the original program. This runs - recognizable by the changed menu structure - as a core program within the document application .
Differentiation between linking and embedding
OLE objects can either be linked ( object linking ) or embedded ( object embedding ) in a document. When linking, only a reference to the integrated object is created, while when embedding a copy of the object is saved. Embedding has the advantage that the compound document is independent of the source file of the embedded object. However, the compound document requires more storage space.
An OLE connection in a compound document can a. can be created using drag & drop (linking) or copy & paste (embedding).
Areas of application
The OLE functionality is available for implementation under Microsoft Windows as an operating system component of any application and is used intensively within the Microsoft Office product family - but also by other manufacturers of Windows applications. The main competitor of the MS Office package, LibreOffice , also masters this functionality. It is thus possible to include Microsoft objects in documents of the OpenDocument standard and vice versa. The applications of both Office packages embed integrated objects in the file so that they are displayed correctly regardless of the existence of the source files of the integrated objects. Information (e.g. the class ID) about every OLE-supporting entity (program, document, etc.) used on a computer is located in the Windows registry .
development
OLE technology was developed by Wang Laboratories . It is a development of the Protocol Dynamic Data Exchange and complements this by embedding ( embedding ) objects.
See also
Web links
- Description with illustration ( Memento from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive )