A document that contains elements from a variety of computer applications. For example, a single compound document might include text from a word processor, graphics from a draw program, and a chart from a spreadsheet application. Most importantly, each element in the compound document is stored in such a way that it can be manipulated by the application that created it.
Many computer experts believe that compound documents represent the most useful metaphor for utilizing computers because they allow people to mix different forms of expression rather than artificially separating them. With the emergence of OLE as an important standard, compound documents are likely to become more and more a part of everyday computing.
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