1. A method for hosting a programming environment and processing user input, the method comprising the step of: (a) receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, a definition of an expression type, the definition specifying an expression format and a response type; (b) storing the definition of the expression type; (c) receiving, during a second session between a second user and the interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from the second user, an expression having a semantic structure; (d) evaluating the semantic structure of the expression; (e) identifying an expression format of the received expression as the expression format specified by the definition of the expression type, responsive to the evaluation of the semantic structure; and (f) generating a response to the expression based on the identified expression format and responsive to an execution of a computer program associated with the response type specified by the definition of the expression type.
1. A method for hosting a programming environment and processing user input, the method comprising the step of: (a) receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, a definition of an expression type, the definition specifying an expression format and a response type; (b) storing the definition of the expression type; (c) receiving, during a second session between a second user and the interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from the second user, an expression having a semantic structure; (d) evaluating the semantic structure of the expression; (e) identifying an expression format of the received expression as the expression format specified by the definition of the expression type, responsive to the evaluation of the semantic structure; and (f) generating a response to the expression based on the identified expression format and responsive to an execution of a computer program associated with the response type specified by the definition of the expression type. 22. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) further comprises identifying the expression as a request for information.