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Object linking and embedding is a Microsoft® technology that allows for modular user-created documents and systems. It enables drag-and-drop features, sharing of information between components, and compatibility between programs. It was originally for user-created documents but has expanded to web-based systems. It competed with OpenDoc but ultimately prevailed.
Object linking and embedding is a technology developed by Microsoft® with the intention of making user-created documents and systems more modular. In essence, he created a series of functions and methods for using small subroutines within a larger program to allow for functions that the large program would not normally have. For example, with object linking and embedding, it has become much easier to create a spreadsheet-like table within a standard text document.
Without object linking and embedding, many of the drag-and-drop features common in modern programs wouldn’t be possible. Previously, many programs were unable to embed information outside the main program. For example, a word processor would only allow text and text-based effects. This meant that there were no images, graphs or charts embedded in a common document.
To help with this, some program suites have allowed information to be shared between individual components. This shared information was difficult to manage due to incompatibilities in programs. For example, it was common that embed information could not be changed. To change the information, the user had to re-import the new version from the other program. Also, programs usually only share information with other programs in the suite and nothing else.
The basic idea of linking and embedding objects is to make the computer easier to use. With this technology, it was possible to create programs that contained dissimilar sub-programs. These subsystems would allow users to access features that are beyond the scope of the main program. In many ways, it was like creating a suite of programs that worked as a whole.
Also, by forming sub-programs, object linking and embedding allowed other compatible programs to work together more easily. If a graphics program and a word processor both enabled object linking and embedding, the common code would allow the graphic to be imported directly into the document without conversion.
The original use for object linking and embedding was almost entirely user-created documents. Since those early days, this technology has branched out into web-based systems. Typically, only Internet Explorer® uses strict object linking and embedding technology, but nearly all web browsers contain some sort of embedding feature.
When this technology debuted, it was in direct competition with the now defunct OpenDoc system. While several OpenDoc features worked with object linking and embedding, many did not. Even though Microsoft® assured people that the two formats were compatible, that never happened. Because Microsoft® used its technology exclusively in the Windows® operating system, OpenDoc was unable to compete and died out.
