Next Generation Data Interchange: Tool-to-Tool Application Program Interfaces

Data interchange in the form of a standard exchange format(SEF) is only a first step towards tool interoperability. Inter-tool communication using files is slow and cumbersome; a better approach would be an application program interface, or API, that allowed tools to communicate with each other directly. This paper argues such an AP is a logical next step that builds on the current drive towards an SEF. It presents high-level descriptions of three approaches to tool-totool APIs and illustrates how requirements for the SEF also apply to the API. Keywords standard exchange format, API, tool interoperability, library, protocol, framework

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: WCRE
• Authors: Susan Elliott Sim
• Keywords: Application Program Interface, Software Engineering, Standard Exchange, Tool Interoperability, WCRE 2000