Generic software interface architecture

A software interface for a system provides an interface to software components of the system through a plurality of interface areas that are related to each other in a hierarchical manner. Each interface area provides an interface to the software components through one or more interface methods. The interface methods are generically defined methods and include a data handling method, an action method, and a navigation method. The data handling method includes the methods for setting and retrieving a value of a parameter. The action method includes the methods for retrieving and executing a specific method for carrying out operations on the system through the software components. The navigation method includes methods for navigating to a specific interface area. A token is associated with each of the interface methods to specifically define the method that is to be carried out.