a configuration creator for use in creating a terminal application for a target apparatus . the configuration creator comprises : an indexing routine for examining available software components that can be used in the terminal application and ascertaining possible type - safe relationships for each software component , a graphical user interface including a control area for displaying classes that can be used in the terminal application , and an association area for creating instances of the displayed classes and allowing type - safe relationships to be established between created instances , and a file creation routine for creating a configuration file including code describing created instances and relationships established between the created instances . the configuration file can subsequently be parsed to create a terminal application for use in a target apparatus , such as a self - service terminal .