A set of shared class libraries with platform-independent interfaces.

An object-oriented architecture designed by IBM that allows compound documents to be created by interchangeable software components.

An open component technology sponsored by IBM, Apple, and Adobe (among others). These organizations formed Component Integrations Laboratories (CI Labs) to advance component technology. OpenDoc is their flagship product, which competes directly with Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding 2 (OLE).

An open, multiplatform, component software architecture heavily backed by Apple and IBM.

n. An object-oriented application programming interface (API) that enables multiple independent programs (component software) on several platforms to work together on a single document (compound document). Similar to OLE, OpenDoc allows images, sound, video, other documents, and other files to be embedded or linked to the document. OpenDoc is supported by an alliance that includes Apple, IBM, the Object Management Group, and the X Consortium. See also application programming interface, component software. Compare ActiveX, OLE.