OLE is an acronym for Object Linking and Embedding. It refers to a set of standards that were developed by Microsoft Corporation and implemented into both Microsoft Windows and Apple’s MacOS, despite the two companies’ famous and continued rivalry. OLE standards govern the embedding and linking of files across files.
Technipages Explains OLE
OLE protocols allow users to create dynamic and automatically updated links between different documents, and also to embed files in other files. This could include images embedded in word files, or hyperlinks to other files. The standards are now known under another name – after being updated for Internet use, they were relabelled ActiveX.
OLE also resembles other middleware standards. Most closely, it resembles COBRA, but there is an important exception. OLE messages are run through the operating system, which is why applications that are developed using it, can’t execute across different platforms, unless both platforms can support and run OLE.
Because of this, OLE was released by Microsoft as an independent set of standards, so that other companies can use the set of standards for their own work. It is now owned by a non-profit standards body that wants to add OLE support to other platforms that don’t yet have it – such as Unix.
Common Uses of OLE
- OLE standards let you embed images, links and more in other documents.
- OLE standards are implemented in both Windows and MacOS.
- Due to restrictions, OLE needs to be supported by both platforms to work in a cross-platform environment.
Common Misuses of OLE
- OLE is an outdated set of linking standards.
