An object oriented framework mechanism for data transfer between a data source and a data target provides an infrastructure that embodies the steps necessary to perform the data transfer and a mechanism to extend the framework to fit a particular data transfer environment. Certain core functions are provided by the framework, which interact with extensible functions provided by the framework user. The architecture of the framework allows a developer to determine the conditions and parameters that apply to the data transfer while allowing a user to interact with the framework with an interface that is consistent regardless of the specific combination of data source, data target, connection type, or protocol. The extensible functions allow new data transfer environments to be easily implemented using the framework. The framework thus allows a common user interface for transferring data between any data source and any data target, which may be easily customized to include data sources, new data targets, new transfer protocols, etc. The framework greatly simplifies the user's job of transferring data since it provides a common interface, and greatly simplifies the developer's job of providing a user interface for a new combination of hardware and/or software by providing established classes that may be easily extended to implement the desired data transfer environment.