Lesson 10

In this module, you learned what tools can help you both

1. integrate the software technologies chosen for an eBusiness solution and
2. coordinate workflow and its various components.

Together, these tools will make for a solution that is well coordinated on the levels of technology and human interaction. More specifically, you should now know how to:

1. Define the function of middleware
2. Define what message-oriented middleware does
3. Define the function of RPCs
4. Define the function of data integration middleware
5. Define the function of distributed object middleware
6. Define the function of transaction processors
7. Explain the function of Enterprise Application Integration
8. Describe workflow services solutions and their role in integration

If you would like to see which vendors sell the tools discussed in this module, go to the Vendors list on the Resources page. Vendors are categorized by product and by module.

1. API: A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. Good APIs make it easier to develop a program by providing all needed building blocks.
2. COM+: Microsoft's language independent component architecture intended to provide general purpose, object oriented means to encapsulate commonly used features and functions.
3. CORBA: Enables pieces of programs, called objects, to communicate with one another regardless of what operating system they\'re running on or what programming language they were written in.
4. IDL (Interface Definition Language): A language used to describe the interface to a routine or function. For example, objects in the CORBA distributed object environment are defined by an IDL, which describes the services performed by the object and how the data is to be passed to it.
5. Message-brokering technology: Technology that acts as a message server being multiple systems/solutions requiring integration.
6. Message queue: Some messaging systems use a temporary storage facility, called a message queue, to store messages indefinitely. A message queuing system enables applications to communicate even though they may not be running at the same time.
7. ORB (Object Request Broker): A program that controls communication between clients and objects on servers.
8. Three-tier architecture: A special type of client/server architecture consisting of three well-defined and separate processes, each running on a different platform.

Click the Exercise link below to define and solve a specific integration problem.
Integration Solutions - Exercise