Abstract: A method and system for flexibly managing a presentation data stream which includes an ordered stream of uniquely identified data objects and associated elements which specify format and presentation parameters for those data objects for utilization within a specified application. An include object structured field is provided within the data stream which identifies a particular data object and specifies alternate presentation parameters for utilization with that data object. Thereafter, the data object reference within the include object structured field can be presented utilizing the alternate presentation parameters, which override the presentation parameters associated with the referenced data object, obviating any requirement for providing alternate versions of that object for each of multiple diverse applications.

Abstract: A method and system for managing logical links between document components within a presentation data stream which includes a continuous ordered stream of uniquely identified data objects and associated elements. The processing of presentation form documents has been extended from hard copy devices into interactive presentation forms which accommodate sophisticated navigation techniques such as hypertext. In order to accommodate this process a link logical element (LLE) is defined within the document presentation data stream which identifies a source component and a target component for a logical link. Multiple purpose links which provide navigational linkage, annotational linkage and append linkage are provided and the link logical element further includes a field which specifies the purpose of a particular link. Optional fields are also provided which may be utilized to pass parameters to the target component upon processing the link.