Electronic document management system

A project container for enabling generation of an output version an electronic document, comprising:

• a project comprising at least one job associated with the electronic document;
• wherein a job comprises activities associated with generation of an output data stream for use by an output device for outputting the output version of the electronic document;
• a project file associated with the job, wherein the project file includes a list of all components associated with the job, for each such component, the component's attribute information and change information, and information for use by an extraction utility for ordering the components and for enabling the output device to produce the output data stream of the electronic document;
• and
• a copy of each of the components listed in the project file.

An electronic document management system, comprising:

• a memory storing:
• a project comprising at least one job associated with an electronic document and a plurality of components having a local scope, wherein a component having a local scope may be used by any job in the project;
• wherein a job comprises activities associated with generation of a data stream for use by an output device for outputting an output version of the electronic document;
• a plurality of predetermined locations within the memory for storage of components according to the particular type of component, wherein each of the components associated with the job is stored in the predetermined memory location according to its type;
• and
• a processor, responsive to the job, for mapping the location of the components in the job to the output device and for enabling generation of the data stream.