Advanced PowerBuilder

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Linking or Embedding

There are several things to consider when deciding between linking or embedding an object:

Will anyone else have access to data contained in objects outside of your application?

Is the data contained in your objects of a static nature?

Is the size of your application important?

Is there a chance of someone moving files containing objects?

Is speed important?

The following table highlights some of the differences between linking and embedding when considering these questions:

Linking

Embedding

If objects are changed outside your application, then the object in your application will be updated automatically.

An embedded object can only be edited from within your application.

Using linked objects will keep the size of your application down, as the objects are not stored within your application.

Embedded objects are stored within your application, so the file size is bigger.

When you use linked objects, your application contains the reference to the linked file, so if the file is moved, the link will be severed.

This isn't a problem with embedded objects.

Linked objects are only loaded into your application when they are required, so start-up speed should be quicker. However, working with a linked object reduces the speed of your application, because the container has to link to the file.

Start-up speed will be slower because the file is bigger, but work with the embedded objects is quicker because the object already exists in your application.

Linked objects can't be activated in-place, for editing. Only off-site activation is allowed.

In-Place and Off-site activation is allowed.

Component Object Model versus the Traditional Large EXE
Home Previous Lesson: What is Linking and Embedding?
Next Lesson: Model

	Will anyone else have access to data contained in objects outside of your application?
	Is the data contained in your objects of a static nature?
	Is the size of your application important?
	Is there a chance of someone moving files containing objects?
	Is speed important?

Linking	Embedding
If objects are changed outside your application, then the object in your application will be updated automatically.	An embedded object can only be edited from within your application.
Using linked objects will keep the size of your application down, as the objects are not stored within your application.	Embedded objects are stored within your application, so the file size is bigger.
When you use linked objects, your application contains the reference to the linked file, so if the file is moved, the link will be severed.	This isn't a problem with embedded objects.
Linked objects are only loaded into your application when they are required, so start-up speed should be quicker. However, working with a linked object reduces the speed of your application, because the container has to link to the file.	Start-up speed will be slower because the file is bigger, but work with the embedded objects is quicker because the object already exists in your application.
Linked objects can't be activated in-place, for editing. Only off-site activation is allowed.	In-Place and Off-site activation is allowed.