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Custom-programmed middleware solutions have been developed for decades to enable one application to communicate with another that either runs on a different platform or comes from a different vendor or both. Today, there is a diverse group of products that offer packaged middleware solutions as outlined in the following examples. See application integration.
TP Monitors
The TP monitor (transaction processing monitor) was perhaps the first product to be called middleware. Sitting between the requesting client program and the databases, it ensures that all databases are updated properly (see TP monitor).
Distributed Processing
Distributed object systems such as CORBA, DCOM and EJB enable processes to be run anywhere in the network. They differ from messaging middleware in that they cause processes (components/objects) to be executed in real time rather than sending data.
Common Interfaces
Common programming interfaces between applications are considered middleware. For example, Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) enables applications to make a standard call to all the databases that support the ODBC interface.
Universal Computing
These two examples link an application to an operating environment and are the Holy Grail of computing. They enable the same program to run on any hardware platform without modification. HTML pages written in JavaScript can execute on any JavaScript-enabled Web browser running under any operating system. Java applications and applets are executed by a Java Virtual Machine, which can be created for any operating system. Thus, the browser and Java negate the requirement for a single operating system and hardware environment.
Network Logon
Middleware for networks includes a common approach for identifying users and network resources, authorizing and authenticating users and setting up standardized directory schemas. Using middleware in this fashion avoids the problems that occur when applications are responsible for these tasks and incompatible versions arise. The Internet2 project is expected to make advancements in this area. For more information, visit http://middleware.internet2.edu.
In the Middle!
The ActiveWorks system, incorporated into webMethods' Integration Platform, sits between a wide range of applications in the enterprise and brokers messages between them and adds processing where required. (Image courtesy of webMethods, Inc.)