Java™ Connector Architecture: Building Custom Connectors and Adapters

Use Case Models

Before getting into the details of the reference model—its structure, dependencies, and responsibilities—an analysis of the generic adapter requirements will be useful for understanding the scope and complexity of the problem domain. Figure 4.2, earlier in the chapter, shows the use case model for an adapter. Notice that the use cases, actors, and system boundaries are very generic and can be applied to most adapters. One more noticeable element is that there are no real users accessing the adapter except other applications and systems. After all, adapters are supposed to integrate applications, and as such the use case model shows which applications interact with the adapter and their role in the integration scenario. Also, the ...