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On the Dimensions of Interfaces Between Database Applications
Author(s) -
Stafford Randy,
Axe Herb
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.1994.tb01732.x
Subject(s) - computer science , interface (matter) , database , user interface , context (archaeology) , database design , software , software engineering , programming language , paleontology , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , biology , parallel computing
This paper presents a model to facilitate the description of interfaces between software applications that maintain databases of information. An interface is a capability for one application's database, or portions thereof, to be automatically and electronically transmitted en masse into another application's database. Criteria are first given for assessing the sensibility of a proposed interface between two database applications (in the context of system development projects), considering issues such as motivation, technical feasibility, and cost‐beneficiality. Next, a three‐dimensional model is proposed whose axes serve as a conceptual framework for describing interfaces between database applications, covering cases from the simplest, one‐time data conversion utilities, to the most sophisticated, integration‐type approaches. The design of software servicing such interfaces is discussed. Considerations are given for the effective use of such interfaces on system development projects, and a few example interfaces are reviewed.