Interoperability Flashcards
What is interoperability?
Interoperability is the ability of different systems, devices, applications or products to connect and communicate in a coordinated way, without effort from the end user. Functions of interoperable components include data access, data transmission and cross-organizational collaboration regardless of its developer or origin.
What are types of interoperability?
Interconnected systems can vary in degree of interoperability. Types of interoperability include:
Syntactic interoperability: Systems that can communicate successfully through compatible formats and protocols. Tools that facilitate syntactic interoperability are recognized formatting standards, such as XML and SQL. This is also sometimes referred to as structural interoperability.
Semantic interoperability: This is the ability of systems to exchange and accurately interpret information automatically. Semantic interoperability is achieved when the structure and codification of data is uniform among all systems involved.
Cross-domain or cross-organization interoperability: This refers to the standardization of practices, policies, foundations and requirements of disparate systems. Rather than relating to the mechanisms behind data exchange, this type only focuses on the non-technical aspects of an interoperable organization.
Data exchange between applications, databases and IT systems is crucial for the growth of modern technology, such as the IoT. Approaches to improving or achieving interoperability include conducting compatibility tests, engineering products with a common standard and using the same technology, coding language or syntax across multiple systems when appropriate.
