Patent ID: 7472174

Claim:
A method for use by a client host in providing a networked application with a sewer host, comprising: providing an identifier of a function to be performed at the server host, the sewer host storing a plurality of functions each having a unique identifier; providing first data for use by the sewer host in performing the function; using a command pattern to encapsulate the identifier and the first data into a command object; and communicating the command object to the server host; wherein the server host: (a) executes the function identified by the identifier encapsulated in the command object, using the first data, to obtain second data, (b) provides the second data in the command object, and (c) returns the command object with the second data to the client host, wherein the sewer host that receives the command object can execute the function without knowledge of a purpose of the function, wherein a client application at the client host uses the command pattern to encapsulate the identifier and the first data into the command object, and communicates the command object to the sewer host; and the server host returns the command object with the second data to the client application.