Abstract: A programming object can comprise an executable method for loading a state of the object and an executable method for saving the object's state. The programming object can be an instance of a programmer-defined class. The executable method of the object for loading the state of the object can load the object's state as markup language text, and the executable method of the object for saving the object's state can save the object's state as markup language text.

Abstract: A converter converts between structured language elements and objects embeddable in the native format of a document editor. A data structure representing the embeddable object is created without instantiating an instance of the object and includes the associated structured language element. Subsequently, the structured language element is used to instantiate an object and set its properties. Any portion of the structured language element not recognized during the conversion process is retained by the embeddable object. If conversion back to a structured language element is subsequently required, the conversion process is facilitated by the presence of the original structured language element within the embeddable object as well as the retained portion of the structured language element not recognized.

Abstract: A converter converts between structured language elements and objects embeddable in the native format of a document editor. A data structure representing the embeddable object is created without instantiating an instance of the object and includes the associated structured language element. Subsequently, the structured language element is used to instantiate an object and set its properties. Any portion of the structured language element not recognized during the conversion process is retained by the embeddable object. If conversion back to a structured language element is subsequently required, the conversion process is facilitated by the presence of the original structured language element within the embeddable object as well as the retained portion of the structured language element not recognized.

Abstract: An improved method and system for binding data is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bound controls transfer data to cursors through a binding manager. The binding manager is also responsible for transferring data from a cursor to a bound control. In addition, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a notification mechanism as part of the cursor. The notification mechanism of the cursor of the preferred embodiment provides synchronization amongst all binding managers utilizing the cursor. The notification mechanism of the preferred embodiment provides synchronization amongst all binding managers by invoking event handlers registered by the binding managers. The event handlers are invoked by the cursor both before and after an operation is performed by the cursor.