Middleware
Software that connects different applications or systems, handling communication, data transformation, and integration logic between components.
In-Depth Explanation
Middleware is software that sits between applications, operating systems, and databases to facilitate communication and data management. It's the "glue" connecting disparate systems.
Types of middleware:
- Message brokers: RabbitMQ, Apache Kafka
- API gateways: Kong, AWS API Gateway
- Integration platforms: MuleSoft, Boomi
- Enterprise service bus (ESB): Traditional integration backbone
- Application servers: Tomcat, IIS
Middleware functions:
- Message routing and transformation
- Protocol translation
- Security enforcement
- Load balancing
- Transaction management
- Caching
- Service discovery
Modern middleware trends:
- Cloud-native and containerised
- API-first design
- Event-driven architecture
- Microservices support
- Serverless integration
Business Context
Middleware enables complex system integration without point-to-point connections. It centralises integration logic, making systems more maintainable.
How Clever Ops Uses This
We design middleware architectures for Australian businesses to connect legacy and modern systems efficiently.
Example Use Case
"An API gateway middleware handling authentication, rate limiting, and routing for all incoming API requests before they reach backend services."