Adapters for plug-and-play interconnectivity
Generally, the integration of functional capabilities from several independently-developed systems is complex and time-consuming. Despite the fact that systems may fit in terms of their functional capabilities, technical connectivity is hardly a trivial issue. Incompatibilities between external interfaces may include data syntax and semantics, communication protocols or even physical layer connectivity. At a software level, these incompatibilities can be addressed by developing custom adapters, also known as ‘mediators’ or ‘glue logic’.
New techniques have been developed that allow for the automatic generation of software adapters based on system interface models.
Recognize different types of incompatibilities between the systems to be integrated
Develop reusable front-ends for concrete interface technologies
Model the data and behavior of the systems’ external interfaces
Model what the integration needs to establish
Automatically generate the full adapter