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Compound File Binary Format

(CFBF), also called Compound File, Compound Document format,[1] or Composite Document File V2[2] (CDF), is a compound document file format for storing numerous files and streams within a single file on a disk. CFBF is developed by Microsoft and is an implementation of Microsoft COM Structured Storage.[3][4][5] The file format is used for storing storage objects and stream objects in a hierarchical structure within a single file.[6] Microsoft has opened the format for use by others and it is now used in a variety of programs from Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access to Business Objects.[citation needed] It also forms the basis of the Advanced Authoring Format.[7] Overview[edit] At its simplest, the Compound File Binary Format is a container, with little restriction on what can be stored within it.

At its simplest, the Compound File Binary Format is a container, with little restriction on what can be stored within it. The C-Style structure declaration below (extracted from the AAFA's Low-Level Container Specification) shows the members of the CFBF header and their purpose: This area is reserved by Microsoft's COM implementation for storing byte-range locking information for concurrent access.

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