Abstract: A application program interface is provided to a toolkit framework of service objects which enable rapid creation of application computer programs which implement the services and protocol of the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard. A framework of service objects is provided which enables a programmer to easily develop application methods which provide DICOM services or other custom services. An object-oriented application interface is provided. The service objects provide a familiar connection between the familiar DICOM standard service objects and a group of associated methods within the framework. The associated methods work together to provide a DICOM service. Service Class User and Service Class Provider objects manage service object communications and are derived from baseclasses in the framework.