1. A method for generating interaction logic to automate a target application in a target applications environment, the method comprising: locating and capturing real interactive screen elements in the target application; programming interaction logic to interact with the real interactive screen elements; testing the interaction logic in a mock-up mode by loading a mock-up data library to instantiate mock-up screen elements to mimic the behavior of the real interactive screen elements in the target applications environment, the testing being carried out in a virtual environment separate from the target applications environment and disconnected from the physical layer representing the real screen elements, wherein interactions with the mock-up screen elements are identified without executing the functionality of the interactions in the target applications environment; and executing in a computer system said programmed interaction logic using the real interactive screen elements, in a real mode, in the target applications environment.