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Lesson 6Middleware
ObjectiveExplain the Purpose of Middleware and give examples.

Middleware Connects Applications

Middleware is a name for any software application that connects two applications, or enables applications and end users to interact over a network. General-purpose middleware can be seen as residing between applications and network services, as shown in the image below. It's important to understand that middleware acts as a continuous translator between the commands and structures of two diverse programs. Its role is not simply I/O related (import/export). It is in continuous use for the active processing and translation services necessary for the transference of data between the programs.
The Slide Show below shows how middleware mediates between application functions and users over network services.

Middleware Web Services
1) Connecting Middleware 1 2) Connecting Middleware 2 3) Connecting Middleware 3 4) Connecting Middleware 4

Program 1 Program 2 Program 2 Program 2
  1. Show user's speakers putting out music, connected through internet to a music file server, with some graphical icon to represent "middleware" - intermediate software
  2. Focus on a web browser in the act of turning HTML document into a visible display
  3. Focus on a piece of software that registers a charge to a credit card, being connected to the user at a PC, the web server of an ecommerce site, and a database server connected to VISA or the customer's credit card company
  4. Focus on a piece of software that facilitates exchange of info between multiple databases and servers at different locations
Transaction Processors
Middleware speeds development of distributed applications by simplifying connectivity between applications, application components and back-end data sources. Middleware is programming that empowers at least one sorts of correspondence or network between at least two applications or application parts in a dispersed organization. By making it simpler to associate applications that weren't intended to associate with each other - and giving usefulness to associate them in smart ways - middleware smoothes out application improvement and rates time to showcase.
There are many kinds of middleware. Some, for example, message merchants or exchange handling screens, center around one sort of correspondence. Others, for example, web application servers or cell phone middleware, give the full scope of correspondence and network capacities expected to construct a specific kind of use. Still others, for example, a cloud-based reconciliation stage as a help (iPaaS) offering or a venture administration transport (EBS), capability as a brought together mix center point for associating every one of the parts in an undertaking. (There's even middleware that allows designers to assemble their own tweaked middleware.)

Reviewing Applications - Quiz

In the next lesson, your task is to review what you have learned in this module.
Click the Quiz link below to check your knowledge of some of the applications you have been learning about.
Reviewing Applications - Quiz