Enterprise Integration Patterns
Messaging Patterns
HOME PATTERNS RAMBLINGS ARTICLES TALKS DOWNLOAD BOOKS CONTACT
Messaging Patterns
File TransferFile TransferMessaging Patterns » Integration Styles

An enterprise has multiple applications that are being built independently, with different languages and platforms.

How can I integrate multiple applications so that they work together and can exchange information?

Have each application produce files containing information that other applications need to consume. Integrators take the responsibility of transforming files into different formats. Produce the files at regular intervals according to the nature of the business.

An important decision with files is what format to use. Very rarely will the output of one application be exactly what's needed for another, so you'll have to do a fair bit of processing of files along the way. Not just do all the applications that use a file have to read it, you also have to be able to use processing tools on it. As a result, standard file formats have grown up over time. Mainframe systems commonly use data feeds based on the file system formats of COBOL. Unix systems use text based files. The modern fashion is to use XML. An industry of readers, writers, and transformation tools has built up around each of these formats.

... Read the entire pattern in the book Enterprise Integration Patterns

Related patterns:

Remote Procedure Invocation, Messaging, Shared Database


Creative Commons Attribution License

You can reuse the following elements under the Creative Commons Attribution license: pattern icon, pattern name, problem and solution statements (in bold), and the sketch. Other portions are protected by copyright.

Enterprise Integration Patterns book cover

Enterprise Integration Patterns
The classic, as relevant as ever. Over 90,000 copies sold.

Software Architect Elevator book cover

The Software Architect Elevator
Learn how architects can play a critical role in IT transformation by applying their technical, communication, and organizational skills.

Cloud Strategy book cover

Cloud Strategy
Fill the large gap between high-level goals and product details by understanding decision trade-offs.