Multi-function peripheral apparatus for processing unified job steps

The invention provides a multi-function peripheral apparatus for processing unified job steps. The respective jobs of copying, printing, scanning, and faxing processed by an integrated application are unitarily divided into four job steps. A package of function modules 41 A selectively used in the respective jobs is classified into four groups of input, create, edit, and output function modules 410 to 412 according to the division. A data format is unified into bitmap by a create function module 411 A, and the bitmap data is processed by an edit function module 411 B for pagination or aggregation, etc. In response to receiving setting information and a job code, a job controlling module 43 A creates job step control blocks 440 to 442 and writes the information therein to create a job. Each of job step controlling (JSC) modules 450 to 452 starts a function module for each page, and after the completion thereof, creates a thread control block for the next downstream side JSC module.