Terminology

To understand the adapter framework, you must understand these terms:

adapter
The component in the WebSphere business integration system that supports communication between an integration broker and either an application or a technology. An adapter always includes a connector, message files, and configuration tools. It can also include an Object Discovery Agent (ODA). Some adapters also may require a data handler.

adapter framework
The software that IBM provides to configure and run an adapter. The runtime components of the adapter framework include the JavaTM runtime environment, the connector framework, and the Object Discovery Agent (ODA) runtime. This connector framework includes the connector libraries (C++ and Java) needed to develop new connectors. The ODA runtime includes the library in the Object Development Kit (ODK) needed to develop new ODAs. The configuration components include the following tools:

Adapter Development Kit (ADK)
A development kit that provides some samples for adapter development, including sample connectors and Object Discovery Agents (ODAs).

adapter migration
The process of making it possible to run an adapter on a newer adapter framework.

adapter upgrade
Replacing an adapter with a subsequently released version.

integration broker
The component in the WebSphere business integration system that integrates data among heterogeneous applications. An integration broker typically provides a variety of services that include: the ability to route data, a repository of rules that govern the integration process, connectivity to a variety of applications, and administrative capabilities that facilitate integration. Examples of integration brokers include the WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker, WebSphere Business InterChange Server, and WebSphere Application Server

WebSphere Application Server
Web application server software that runs on a Web server and that can be used to deploy, integrate, execute, and manage e-business applications.

WebSphere business integration system
An enterprise solution that moves information among diverse sources to perform business exchanges, and that processes and routes information among disparate applications in the enterprise environment. The business integration system consists of an integration broker and one or more adapters.

WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker, WebSphere MQ Integrator Broker
Message broker products that transform and route messages between WebSphere MQ queues. The technology enables applications to communicate asynchronously by delivering messages to and receiving messages from potentially remote queues. A major change with WebSphere Integration Message Broker is the addition of message flows that add the ability to format, store, and route messages based on user-defined logic.

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