Middleware

Sometimes called glue, middleware is software that provides services to applications. As the base operating system only comes with so many features, middleware's primary purpose is to facilitate communication and data exchange between software so they work together more easily. It acts as an intermediary between different programs or components in a distributed system.

Examples of middleware are web services like SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and REST (Representational State Transfer).

How is middleware used?

Middleware can connect and integrate systems, apps, and services (running on the same or different platforms) that use different technologies or are developed by different vendors. It is a translator, allowing different software components to interact without understanding the underlying details of the others' implementation methods or architectures. Middleware is particularly important when organizations use legacy systems and modern applications, as it offers seamless interoperability.

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