This document defines a generic language-independent processing model
for combining arbitrary document formats.

The Compound Document Framework is language-independent.
While it is clearly meant to serve as the basis for integrating W3C's
family of XML formats within its Interaction Domain (e.g., MathML, SMIL,
SVG, VoiceXML, XForms, XHTML, XSL) with each other, together with CSS and
the DOM; it can also be used to integrate non-W3C formats with W3C formats
or integrate non-W3C formats with other non-W3C formats.

1.1. Conformance

Everying in this specification is normative except for diagrams,
examples, notes and sections marked non-normative.

The key words must, must not,
required, shall, shall not, should, should not, recommended, may and optional in this document are
to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [RFC2119].

This specification defines the following classes of products:

conforming implementation

A user agent that implements all interfaces described in this
specification and follows all must-, required- and shall-level of critera
in this specification.

conforming document

A document that follows all must-, required- and shall-level of critera
in this specification that apply to document authors.

conforming authoring tool

One that produces conforming documents.