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Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

The process of packaging a file name or data, server name (generally an application), and any required parameters into an object, and then placing this object into the file created by another application. For example, a user could place a graphic object within a word processing document or spreadsheet. OLE supports both linking (placing a pointer to the source data in permanent storage in the target file) and embedding (placing the actual data into the target file). When you look at the object it appears as if you simply pasted the data from the originating application into the current application, which is similar to Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). However, the data object created by OLE automatically changes as you change the data in the original object (provided you use the linking portion of the technology). It also contains the intelligence to know which application created the data. Generally , you can start the originating application and automatically load the required data by double-clicking on the object.

Object Linking and Embedding - Database (OLE-DB)

A low level database access technology that relies on COM and a vendor supplied OLE-DB provider rather than the SQL used by Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC). OLE-DB is designed to work with both remote and local databases. In addition, it can access database managers that don't rely on SQL, such as those found on mainframe computers. OLE-DB and ODBC are cooperative, rather than competing data access technologies. OLE-DB, when coupled with ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), is designed to replace older database technologies such as Remote Data Objects (RDO) and Data Access Objects (DAO).

ODBC

See also Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).

ODP

See also Open Directory Project (ODP).

OLE

See also Object Linking and Embedding (OLE).

OLE-DB

See also Object Linking and Embedding - Database (OLE-DB).

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

One of several methods for exchanging data between DBMSs. In most cases, this involves three steps: installing an appropriate driver, adding a source to the ODBC applet in the Control Panel, and using specialized statements, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), to access the database.

OPML

See also Outline Processor Markup Language (OPML).

Open Directory Project (ODP)

A Web site directory originally created by Rich Skrenta as GnuHoo. The directory originally used volunteer editors to enter Web site names , categories, and descriptions into a database. Netscape acquired the directory on 17 November 1998 and renamed it ODP. A number of search engines, such as Google, Netscape Open Directory, Netscape What's Related, Lycos, HotBot, Dogpile, Thunderstone, Mars Society, and Linux.com Links use ODP as a source of Web site information.

Outline Processor Markup Language (OPML)

An XML-based format for exchange of outline structured information in Web pages or other documents. Each entry represents a different level of the document hierarchy. Designing these documents as an outline makes them easier to understand in many cases.