Object oriented framework mechanism for an electronic catalog

An object oriented framework mechanism provides a straightforward and convenient way to implement an electronic catalog by providing an infrastructure that embodies the steps necessary for a framework consumer to define an electronic catalog by extending the framework to fit a particular electronic catalog environment. The electronic catalog framework includes core classes and extensible classes that allow a framework consumer to implement a desired electronic catalog. The core classes and class relationships define the core function of the framework mechanism. Extensible classes include a catalog class, a content page class, a table of contents page class, an index page class, a content list page class, a cover class, and a jacket class. These extensible classes are extended by a framework consumer to implement a desired electronic catalog environment. The framework provides consistent programmer interfaces over a wide variety of different electronic catalogs, which greatly enhances programmer efficiency and which makes the resultant code much easier to maintain.