An image processing apparatus including: an interpreter unit configured to interpret control programs including a command train represented in byte codes, the control programs being provided for execution on an OS-independent platform and each being an object provided in an object-oriented paradigm; a memory unit configured to store predetermined function programs for controlling a function of the image processing apparatus, the function programs being defined as an interface between the control programs and a device driver program for controlling the function and being used commonly by the control programs, the device driver program operating a hardware resource unit that includes at least one of a printing unit and an image pickup unit; and an execution unit configured to execute the device driver program using the function programs stored in the memory unit in accordance with the interpretation of the control programs by the interpreter unit.