Abstract: A processor (CPU) in the computer system executes an application program made up of a number of components, each associated with a set of commands. While the program is executing, a current operating mode of the program is selected. The processor automatically constructs a dynamic menu for the selected operating mode by determining which of the program's components are active in the current operating mode, merging the commands sets of these active components to form an active set of command for the current operating mode, and organizing the commands of the active set into a menu structure. The constructed, displayed menu items can be selected with an input device. Menu items contained in a displayed application menu bar are revised when one of a number of subwindows displayed by the application is selected. Displayed menu items pertaining to a particular subwindow are included in the menu bar when the subwindow is selected.