(DDE, originally Dynamic DATa Linking, DDL) A Microsoft Windows 3 hotlinkprotocol thAT allows applicATion programs to communicATe using a client-server model. Whenever the server (or "publisher") modifies part of a document which is being shared via DDE, one or more clients ("subscribers") are informed and include the modificATion in the copy of the dATa on which they are working. (1997-06-05)