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Adapter (computing)
 
 
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In computing
Computing

Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and developing computer technology, computer hardware and computer software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology....
, adapter is a hardware device or software component, that converts transmitted data from one presentation form to another. The data presentation can be, for example, a message sent between objects in an application, or a packet sent through a network.

In modern personal computer, almost every peripheral device, uses an adapter to communicate with system bus, for example: A concept of adapter should not be confused with an expansion card
Expansion card

An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard to add additional functionality to a computer system....
.






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In computing
Computing

Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and developing computer technology, computer hardware and computer software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology....
, adapter is a hardware device or software component, that converts transmitted data from one presentation form to another. The data presentation can be, for example, a message sent between objects in an application, or a packet sent through a network.

In modern personal computer, almost every peripheral device, uses an adapter to communicate with system bus, for example:
  • Display adapter, used to transmit signal to monitor.
  • Universal Serial Bus
    Universal Serial Bus

    In information technology, Universal Serial Bus is a Serial communications computer bus standard to electrical connector devices to a host computer....
     (USB) adapters for printer
    Computer printer

    File:Lexmark X5100 Series.jpgIn computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a hard copy of documents stored in computer file form, usually on physical print media such as paper or Transparency ....
    s, keyboards and mice, among others.
  • Network adapter required to attach to any network.
  • Host bus adapter, to connect hard disk
    Hard disk

    A hard disk drive , commonly referred to as a hard drive, hard disk, or fixed disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device which stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating hard disk platters with magnetic surfaces....
    s or other storage.
A concept of adapter should not be confused with an expansion card
Expansion card

An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard to add additional functionality to a computer system....
. Although every expansion card typically implements some kind of adapter, many other adapters in a modern PC are built into the motherboard
Motherboard

A motherboard is the central printed circuit board in some complex electronic systems, such as modern personal computers. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple Inc....
 itself.

A software component adapter is a type of software that is logically located between two software components and reconciles the differences between them.

In computer programming
Computer programming

Computer programming is the process of writing, testing, debugging/troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in a programming language....
, the adapter design pattern (often referred to as the wrapper pattern or simply a wrapper) is a design pattern for adapting one interface
Interface (computer science)

Interface generally refers to an Abstraction_%28computer_science%29 that an entity provides of itself to the outside. This separates the methods of external communication from internal operation, and allows it to be internally modified without affecting the way outside entities interact with it, as well as provide Polymorphism in object-orien...
 of a class
Class (computer science)

In object-oriented programming, a class is a programming language construct that is used as a blueprint to create Object s. This blueprint includes Attribute s and Method s that the created objects all share....
 into another interface that a client expects.

Resource Adapters

Resource adapters are used to retrieve and route data. They provide access to databases, files, messaging systems, enterprise applications and other data sources and targets. Each adapter includes a set of adapter commands that can be used to customize its operation. Adapter commands specify different queues and queue managers, specific messages by message ID, specific sets of messages with the same message ID, message descriptors in the data, and more.

Resource adapters answer the question "Where should have the data come from?" and "Where should the data go?".

The resource adapters provided with many integration products enable data transformation and adapter-specific behavior recognition on different systems and data structures.

See also

  • Computer port (hardware)
    Computer port (hardware)

    In computer hardware, a 'port' serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices. Physically, a port is a specialized outlet on a piece of equipment to which a Electrical connector or cable connects....
  • Common electrical adaptors in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom
    Common electrical adaptors in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

    This page covers electricity adaptors that are common in the United Kingdom, as well as regions where British wiring is in use, such as Hong Kong.Modern British adaptors should always have shutters over the Mains power plug#Live and ground and neutral holes....
  • Controller (computing)
    Controller (computing)

    Controllers, when used in computing and especially in computer hardware, often occur when computer bus with peripherals. Controller is usually also an adapter ....