Abstract: A query framework system is provided. The query framework system comprises a query framework service for consuming a query and returning a result set, a provider application programming interface for defining a consistent application programming interface for providers, one or more providers incorporating query processing logic, and a configuration repository for storing the list of the providers in the query framework system and their properties.

Abstract: An interactive method for performing a differential medical diagnosis utilizing a programmed computer system and a stored data base. In one particular embodiment, the method is for making a dermatopathological diagnosis based on operator selections from data files sequentially presented from the broadest scope to the narrowest scope. The data base is stored in a forwardly and backwardly linked hierarchical array of data files. If the data base were graphically arranged according to the linkages, it would appear in the form of a decision tree having a plurality of levels, each level encompassing the entire subject matter of dermatopathology. Each data file in the data base corresponds to a node of the decision tree and the records in the data file correspond to the branches.