Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a mechanism for using name spaces in graphical user interface (GUI) page definitions. A name space designation is assigned to each control mechanism that generates definitional statements for the GUI. In one embodiment, a page control is assigned a name space designation and assigns a name space designation for each of the controls that are used to generate the page. The name space designation can be used to uniquely identify a control. The name attributes including the name space designation may be sent to a client's browser where it may be incorporated by the browser into a name-value pair when transferring data back to the control.