Service Adapter Mediates Interface Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in maintaining compatibility between application programs and services when interfaces change, leading to errors and requiring extensive modifications across multiple applications and services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of service adapters and application adapters that map defined interfaces between application programs and services, allowing for stable access and enabling changes to services or application programs without affecting the dependent systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If services are replaced, changed, or maintained, then service functionality is improved or updated, but interface compatibility deteriorates causing errors in application programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the application program and the service. The adapter translates interface calls from the application program to the service interface, allowing the service to be replaced or changed without affecting the application program. This mediator absorbs the interface changes and maintains compatibility for the calling application.
2Reliability
If application programs are replaced, changed, or maintained, then application functionality is improved or updated, but interface compatibility deteriorates causing errors in services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the service and the application program. The adapter translates interface calls from the service to the application program interface, allowing the application program to be replaced or changed without affecting the service. This mediator absorbs the interface changes and maintains compatibility for the calling service.
3Productivity
If interfaces are changed to improve service functionality, then service capability is enhanced, but the number of modifications required in dependent systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a buffer that isolates dependent systems from interface changes. When service interfaces are changed to enhance functionality, only the adapter needs to be modified, not the dependent application programs or services. This localizes the complexity of modifications to a single component.
4Speed
If direct interface access is used between applications and services, then communication speed is improved, but system flexibility deteriorates when interfaces change
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter introduces a translation layer between the application program and service, which adds some overhead to communication. However, this overhead is necessary to maintain system flexibility when interfaces change. The adapter ensures that communication can continue even when interfaces are modified, balancing speed with adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Communicating between multiple application programs includes providing an adapter to a first computer application for use in accessing a second computer application that provides a function to the first computer application. The inputs and outputs of the function are defined by the first computer application. The adapter is made available to the first computer application for use in accessing the second computer application. The adapter is configured to accept from the first computer application the inputs to the function and provide to the second computer application the inputs in a form that the second computer application is able to use. The adapter is configured to receive from the second computer application outputs from the function and provide to the first computer application the outputs in a form that the first computer application is able to use.