Abstract: An XML management system, comprising: a repository configured to store a manipulable object model capable of representing metadata about objects in a user's computing environment; user accessible means for manipulating said object model to modify properties of objects thus represented; and means for extending said object model to handle a new type of object by automatically generating descendent class(es) that are able to handle the new object within the object model and incorporating them into an XML management system runtime environment for participation in the object modelling process.