A method of receiving and translating data within an external programmatic interface (EPI) is described. The method calls for receiving input into the EPI. The input is traversed. Where the input is presented in a prescribed format other than CLI, it is translated into a corresponding CLI statement, with reference to a representation of the CLI syntax. Where the input is presented in CLI, it is translated into a corresponding prescribed output format, with reference to a model of the prescribed output format derived from the CLI syntax. The translated input is output.