Question

Explain why adaptors are usually needed when systems are constructed by integrating COTS products.

Short answer

Adaptors modify and bridge the gap between COTS products and specific system requirements to ensure interoperability and integration.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding COTS Products

COTS stands for Commercial Off-The-Shelf products which are software or hardware products that are readily available for purchase and use. They are not custom-made but are rather standardized for mass market consumption. Because they are designed to meet the needs of a general market, they naturally have fixed functionalities and interfaces.

Identifying System Requirements

Any new system has specific functional and non-functional requirements. These requirements define what the system should do and how it should perform tasks. COTS products, while useful, are rarely a perfect fit for all the specified needs of a particular system because they are not designed with that system's unique requirements in mind.

The Role of Adaptors

Adaptors serve as intermediaries that help reconcile differences between the functionality provided by COTS products and the specific requirements of the new system being constructed. They modify, extend, or translate the interfaces and operations of COTS products to fit the system's needs, ensuring that different components can work together smoothly.

Facilitating Integration

During integration, adaptors reduce complexity by allowing COTS products with disparate interfaces and functionalities to communicate with each other and with custom components of the system. They ensure interoperability by translating data formats, communication protocols, and command interfaces to align with the rest of the system.

Key concepts

COTS Products

COTS stands for Commercial Off-The-Shelf products. These are items that you can easily purchase from the market without having to wait for a tailor-made solution. They could be either software or hardware.
Essentially, they are ready-to-use products aimed at a wide range of customers. Due to this widespread availability, COTS products are standardized to cater to the general market rather than individual needs.
Their functions and interfaces are fixed, which limits customization. This feature makes them economical and quick to implement in various businesses, but it also presents challenges. When systems integrate multiple COTS products, these fixed interfaces can create compatibility issues that need to be resolved.

System Requirements

Whenever a new system is being developed, there are always specific needs it must meet. These needs are referred to as system requirements.
Think of system requirements as a list detailing what the system should accomplish. This includes both functional and non-functional requirements.

• Functional requirements specify the actions the system should perform. For example, a banking app must allow users to check their balance.
• Non-functional requirements outline how the system should behave, like being secure, fast, and reliable.

Since COTS products are not made to fit the unique requirements of every individual system, they often fall short in meeting these specific needs entirely. Thus, any new system using COTS products may require some form of adaptation to fully satisfy its requirements.

Adaptors

Adaptors act like bridges that connect two things that wouldn’t naturally fit together. In systems integration with COTS products, adaptors are crucial.
Since COTS products come with their predetermined interfaces and functionalities, adaptors help resolve these discrepancies by modifying or translating them to better align with the new system's needs.

Adaptors perform a few key functions:

• Modify existing COTS interfaces to suit new requirements.
• Translate messages or commands into a language that other system components can understand.
• Ensure smooth communication between different parts of the system.

In essence, adaptors are invaluable tools that allow different system components to mesh well, ensuring the system as a whole functions effectively.

Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability of different systems and components to work smoothly together.
In the context of integrating COTS products into a new system, interoperability is crucial. COTS products typically come with predetermined communication protocols and data formats, which often differ from those of custom system components.
Adaptors aid in achieving interoperability by facilitating the exchange of data and commands among system components. They help by ensuring that mismatches in data formats, commands, and protocols don’t hinder system functionality.
With effective interoperability, a system can efficiently utilize various components, including COTS products, maintaining seamless operation and minimizing issues stemming from integration.