Chapter 5: Interoperability Technologies: Data Tier

Introduction

Chapter 4, “Interoperability Technologies: Point to Point,” describes implementing point to point interoperability techniques, such as .NET Remoting and Web services. This chapter covers technologies that can help you implement connectivity between .NET Framework and Java applications at the Data tier such as database connectivity and asynchronous connectivity through message queuing.

One interoperability scenario is where you have an existing data repository that you now want to access from both .NET Framework and Java applications. This chapter considers the implications of such a setup together with best practice recommendations for creating shared databases.

.NET Remoting and Web services provide the ability to link either tightly or loosely coupled systems on intranets or across the Internet. However, these techniques cannot cope with environments that must withstand very high latency levels or non permanent connections, for example, the increasing use of handheld devices connected through some form of wireless link. Asynchronous methods can overcome issues of non-permanent links.