What is an adapter?

An adapter (also called a connector in this guide) consists of an application-specific component and the connector framework. The application-specific component contains code tailored to a particular application. The connector framework, whose code is common to all connectors, acts as the intermediary between the integration broker an the application-specific component.

A connector provides translation services for the WBI system, moving data between collaborations and either:

The connector controller interacts directly with collaborations. A connector agent interacts directly with an application or other programmatic entity.

The connector framework provides the following services between the integration broker and the application-specific component:

Each connector is unique, because it communicates with its application according to the application's interfaces. If there is an application programming interface (API), the connector can use it. However, a connector for an application without an API can use whatever method the application provides, such as user exits or e-mail messages.

To detect application events in which collaborations are interested, a connector polls the application or uses the application's event callback notification mechanism, if there is one. A connector can also interact with the application at the command of a collaboration or to verify the results of its previous requests.

This guide contains information about the application-specific component and connector framework. It refers to both of these components as the connector.

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