diff --git a/proposal/myrmidon/src/java/org/apache/myrmidon/framework/exec/ExecMetaData.java b/proposal/myrmidon/src/java/org/apache/myrmidon/framework/exec/ExecMetaData.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d6e3aaff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/proposal/myrmidon/src/java/org/apache/myrmidon/framework/exec/ExecMetaData.java
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * This software is published under the terms of the Apache Software License
+ * version 1.1, a copy of which has been included  with this distribution in
+ * the LICENSE.txt file.
+ */
+package org.apache.myrmidon.framework.exec;
+
+import java.io.File;
+import org.apache.tools.ant.Project;
+
+/**
+ * This class holds meta data that is used to launch a native executable.
+ * This class should be populated with valid data and passed to the
+ * <code>ExecManager</code> and it will be the responsibility of the
+ * <code>ExecManager</code> to actually launch the native executable.
+ *
+ * @author <a href="mailto:peter@apache.org">Peter Donald</a>
+ * @version $Revision$ $Date$
+ */
+public class ExecMetaData
+{
+    /**
+     * The working directory in which the applicaiton is launched.
+     */
+    private File m_workingDirectory;
+
+    /**
+     * The array of strings that make up the command line for the command.
+     */
+    private String[] m_command;
+
+    /**
+     * The array of strings that make up the command line for the command.
+     * Note that these variables are in the ugly format expected by the
+     * Runtime.exec() call. For most systems this means that each entry
+     * must be of the form <code>key=value</code>
+     *
+     * <p>This set of variables is combined with the environment of current
+     * process if <code>isEnvironmentAdditive=true</code> else it specifies
+     * full environment.
+     */
+    private String[] m_environment;
+
+    /**
+     * If this variable is true then then the environment specified is
+     * added to the environment variables for current process. If this
+     * value is false then the specified environment replaces the environment
+     * for the command.
+     */
+    private boolean m_isEnvironmentAdditive;
+
+    /**
+     * Construct the meta data for executable as appropriate.
+     * Note that it is invalid to specify a <code>null</code>
+     * workingDirectory or command. It is also invalid to specify
+     * a null environment and an additive environment.
+     */
+    public ExecMetaData( final String[] command,
+                         final String[] environment,
+                         final File workingDirectory,
+                         final boolean environmentAdditive )
+    {
+        m_command = command;
+        m_environment = environment;
+        m_workingDirectory = workingDirectory;
+        m_isEnvironmentAdditive = environmentAdditive;
+
+        if( null == m_workingDirectory )
+        {
+            throw new NullPointerException( "workingDirectory" );
+        }
+
+        if( null == m_command )
+        {
+            throw new NullPointerException( "command" );
+        }
+
+        if( null == m_environment && m_isEnvironmentAdditive )
+        {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException( "isEnvironmentAdditive" );
+        }
+    }
+
+    public File getWorkingDirectory()
+    {
+        return m_workingDirectory;
+    }
+
+    public String[] getCommand()
+    {
+        return m_command;
+    }
+
+    public String[] getEnvironment()
+    {
+        return m_environment;
+    }
+
+    public boolean isEnvironmentAdditive()
+    {
+        return m_isEnvironmentAdditive;
+    }
+}