Definition of Common Object Request Broker Architecture
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) is a middleware technology that enables communication between software applications, regardless of their programming languages or operating systems. It uses an object-oriented model and defines a standard interface for components to interact with one another. CORBA was developed by the Object Management Group (OMG) and aims to promote flexibility, scalability, and interoperability within distributed systems.
Phonetic
The phonetics for the keyword “Common Object Request Broker Architecture” is:- Common: K-AH-M-AH-N- Object: AA-B-JH-EH-K-T- Request: R-IH-K-W-EH-S-T- Broker: B-R-OH-K-ER- Architecture: AA-R-K-IH-T-EH-K-CH-ER
Key Takeaways
- Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) is a middleware framework that enables communication between objects in a distributed system, irrespective of the programming language, platform, or operating system they use.
- CORBA uses an Interface Definition Language (IDL) to define the interfaces for the objects, making it easy for objects to communicate with each other by standardizing the data exchange format.
- CORBA helps to develop scalable and flexible applications by providing support for multiple programming languages, operating systems, and various hardware platforms, allowing developers to build efficient distributed systems with a high degree of interoperability.
Importance of Common Object Request Broker Architecture
The Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) is a crucial technology term as it defines a standard for facilitating communication between software components written in different programming languages and operating on distinct platforms.
By providing an object-oriented middleware system, CORBA offers seamless interoperability, enabling developers to employ diverse software modules to create versatile and scalable applications.
This standardized approach streamlines development processes, reduces maintenance efforts, and encourages code reusability.
Consequently, the significance of CORBA lies in its ability to bridge the gap between heterogeneous software environments, fostering collaboration and enhancing overall system performance.
Explanation
The primary purpose of Common Object Request Broker Architecture, commonly referred to as CORBA, is to facilitate seamless communication between distributed systems that operate on different platforms or programming languages. As the name suggests, it serves as an object request broker, enabling software components to interact with each other across networks.
The beauty of CORBA lies in its ability to enable varied software types to work together, ensuring they remain flexible, reusable, and adaptable for diverse applications. In practice, CORBA is used across a wide range of industries, including finance, telecommunications, and aerospace, where efficient and reliable communication between applications is critical.
By utilizing CORBA’s interface definition language (IDL), developers can design a consistent interface for sharing data and services among different systems. This leads to a reduction in integration costs, increased flexibility to accommodate changing requirements, and the ability to efficiently utilize resources within an organization.
Since it is independent of programming languages and operating systems, CORBA continues to provide a robust pathway for communication in today’s increasingly complex and distributed software ecosystems.
Examples of Common Object Request Broker Architecture
Banking and Financial Services: In the banking sector, the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) has been crucial for streamlining various services like account management, loan processing, and stock trading. For instance, large multinational banks can use CORBA technology to connect their disparate systems and facilitate seamless data exchange between branches and departments. This integration enables banks to make better and faster decisions, improving their customer service.
Telecommunication Systems: CORBA has been extensively employed in the development of telecommunication network management systems, particularly in fault management and performance monitoring. These systems use CORBA to manage complex interactions between various network devices, servers, and applications. Through its distributed object architecture, CORBA ensures efficient coordination and communication between numerous network components, enabling service providers to maintain a reliable and high-quality network.
Healthcare Information Systems: Several healthcare organizations use CORBA-based systems to enable seamless communication and data sharing among different medical applications, particularly in the field of medical imaging. For example, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) integrated with CORBA technology can help hospitals store, transmit and access radiology images. This integration allows healthcare professionals to access patient data remotely, leading to more efficient diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) FAQ
What is Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)?
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) is a middleware technology that enables communication between objects and components in a distributed application. It provides a standard for enabling interaction between objects written in different programming languages and running on multiple platforms.
What are the key components of CORBA?
The key components of CORBA include the Object Request Broker (ORB), Interface Definition Language (IDL), and the Dynamic Invocation Interface (DII). The ORB manages the communication between objects, IDL is used for defining interfaces, and DII allows client applications to call operations on server objects.
What are the benefits of using CORBA?
CORBA offers several benefits, such as platform and language independence, support for modular and reusable components, and a standardized communication mechanism for distributed systems. This can help organizations to create efficient, scalable, and maintainable applications.
How does CORBA ensure interoperability?
CORBA ensures interoperability by providing a standard set of interfaces and protocols that different systems and programming languages must adhere to. This allows components in a CORBA system to communicate with each other, regardless of their underlying platform or language.
What is the role of the Interface Definition Language (IDL) in CORBA?
The Interface Definition Language (IDL) is a language-neutral way of defining the interfaces and operations of objects in a CORBA system. It provides a consistent way to describe objects without reference to their implementation or programming language, allowing clients and servers to communicate seamlessly.
Related Technology Terms
- Middleware
- ORB (Object Request Broker)
- IDL (Interface Definition Language)
- RPC (Remote Procedure Call)
- Dynamic Invocation
Sources for More Information
- University of California, Irvine – www.ics.uci.edu/~taylor/documents/94-netobj.pdf
- Oracle Java Technologies – www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javaseba-features-archive.html
- IBM Knowledge Center – www.ibm.com/docs/en/c/ear/5.0/ae.doc/comm/doc/adg/concorba.html
- TechTarget: SearchAppArchitecture – searchapparchitecture.techtarget.com/definition/Common-Object-Request-Broker-Architecture-CORBA
