First External...Conventions

Hi, I am developing my first Max external. I am new to both external development and Max itself, so my questions may seem a bit obtuse. I am developing the external in c++ on osx, but trying to keep it cross platform, but my main question is in external convention. Is it proper to create multiple objects and connect them from within my object, or is it more normal to have some kind of template Max patcher file that has the object patched up correctly?

For instance my object needs to have certain dropdown menus and check box selection widgets at all times to describe a serial port configuration. Right now I am creating the objects quickly after object construction and patching them (from within the methods of my c++ object) using the connect message and the parent patcher. This seems to work fine but I just don't know if it will be confusing to a normal user of Max to add an object to the patcher and see many objects appear.

Thanks,
Dan