Object mechanism and method for retrieving attribute values in a object oriented framework

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• a least one processer coupled to the at least one processer
• an object oriented framework residing in the memory, the object oriented framework including means for defining a desired keyed attribute retrieval mechanism that provides a client interface for retrieving a plurality of attributes according to a predefined attribute retrieval policy, the keyed attribute retrieval mechanism defining at least one specification key that specifies a plurality of different types of keyable inputs that may be used as a key for retrieving the plurality of attributes.

A computer implemented method for providing a keyed attribute stored in a memory retrieval mechanism for retrieving a plurality of attributes, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining an attribute retrieval policy;
• defining a controller that provides a client interface for retrieving the plurality of attributes according to the attribute retrieval policy and according to a specification key that specifies a plurality of different types of keyable inputs that may be used as a key for retrieving the plurality of attributes.

A computer readable program product comprising:

• an object oriented framework mechanism including a keyed attribute retrieval mechanism that provides a client interface for retrieving a plurality of attributes according to a predefined attribute retrieval policy, the keyed attribute retrieval mechanism defining at least one specification key that specifies a plurality of different types of keyable inputs that may be used as a key for retrieving the plurality of attributes;
• and
• computer readable signal bearing media bearing the framework mechanism.