An extensible framework provides a unified interface for data manipulation in a dynamic object-based format. A data access layer of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Graphical User Interface (GUI) component uses ODBC to read and write files. Four abstractions implement the framework. These are (1) a CDatabaseManager class that provides access to data stored in a database; (2) a CSpecializedFile class which composes a CDatabaseManager that abstracts the management of reading and writing to database files and provides a unified interface for use by accessors. If the base class functionality of the CSpecializedFile class is not sufficient then derived specialized file classes are implemented to override the CSpecializedFile commit method and update the file in a different-fashion and/or implement specialized get/set methods by column data item and data type; (3) a CRecordArray class which manages vectored access to information stored as objects in a CColumnData class; and (4) a CColumnData object which manages changes made to the information and saves it when requested.