IML provides object data types—complex, multi-property data types that can also contain methods that define how the object behaves when invoked.

There are four IML objects: document, element, layer, and application. (The application object returns and sets user interface and data exchange preferences.)

IML also includes sub data types that, unlike other data types, you do not DEFINE. Rather, you use them to set or return the attribute preferences for the current document or application object.