中间件作为一大类系统软件,与操作系统,数据库管理系统并称"三套车",其重要性是不言而语的.
那什么是中间件?
我们来看看以下的几种定义:
http://middleware.internet2.edu/ 给出了middleware的一个定义:
Middleware, is a layer of software between the network and the applications. This software provides services such as identification, authentication, authorization, directories, and security. In today's Internet, applications usually have to provide these services themselves, which leads to competing and incompatible standards. By promoting standardization and interoperability, middleware will make advanced network applications much easier to use.
同样,IDC给出的一个定义:中间件是一种独立的系统软件或服务程序,分布式应用软件借助这种软件在不同的技术之间共享资源,中间件位于客户机服务器的操作系统之上,管理计算资源和网络通信。
从这些定义中可以看出: