System for providing a uniform external interface for an object oriented

Abstract

Objects import data from, and export data to, a plurality of external systems in an object oriented computing system via a uniform external interface. The uniform interface includes external interface layers and internal interface layers. Each external interface layer converts data from the associated external system into an identifying token and data value. The external layer also converts an identifying token and data value into data which is formatted for the associated external system. The internal interface layer accepts an identifying token and data value from the external interface layer and converts the data value to a data attribute associated with an object. The internal interface layer also converts a data attribute into an identifying token and data value and provides the token and data value to the external interface layer. Thus, objects need only communicate with the internal interface layer in order to import and export data. The external interface layer includes customized conversion routines for converting a token and data value to data which is useable by an external system. Data validation and storage takes place via the internal interface layer. Accordingly, replication of code is minimized and the complexity of the object oriented system is reduced.