a method and system for allowing a user to retrieve a user interface and a visual style from a local or remote storage unit , rapidly display the visual stylized user interface , and dynamically switch between visual styles , without comprising security over a network system . once displayed , the user can customize or configure the visual style of the user interface . the invention includes a programmable graphics user interface . the pgui is initialized to a default visual style or to a user &# 39 ; s preferred style when the user logs onto a network system . in the preferred embodiment , after proper login , a user interface , stored on a server as a description in a text - based user interface language , is transferred to user &# 39 ; s client system . the pgui parses the uil description and creates the user interface controls defined in the description . the pgui then uses the currently selected visual style to display the user interface , and then reads any content for the interface . the pgui displays the content within the user interface , such as in a scrollable area or any other area described by the uil . once the user interface is displayed , the user can change the user interface , save the user interface , change the contents , save the contents , or switch visual styles . compound or complex user interfaces can be easily created by combining simple user interface components .