1. In a computer system having a computer program that runs on the computer system and a program operation context for holding information regarding a context on which the computer program runs, a method comprising the steps of: providing a memory image holding data from the running of the computer program; processing the computer program to extract attributes of a selected data type that are independent of the program operation context; storing the extracted attributes of the selected data type in a template; using the attributes stored in the template to create a data type object for holding information regarding the selected data type; completing the data type object using information that is dependent on the program operation context; and using the data type object in accessing data of the selected data type in the memory image file.