Abstract: A user interface generator for developing object oriented user interfaces. The user interface generator creates separate class files containing user interfaces suitable for use in different languages. The interfaces can be easily implemented in an object oriented application program through inheritance. The invention allows the rapid generation of complex user interfaces to minimize costs associated with internationalization of software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generically viewing and editing values and attributes of distributed directory objects is disclosed. A data structure is adapted to represent one or more attributes and associated values of a target object in a distributed directory. A user interface receives inputs from a human user and displays at least a portion of the data structure, irrespective of the target object type. One or more syntax editors receives inputs from a human user and modify the data structure. Each of the one or more syntax editors correspond to at least one attribute syntax in the distributed directory. A mechanism modifies the target object in the distributed directory to include modifications made to the data structure with the attribute editors.