.NET 3.0 Adapter Framework
In the last few weeks I’ve received a few questions from readers regarding the .NET Adapter Framework 3.0 and its relationship with BizTalk and WCF. I think the main argument is weather WCF presents a strong channel model on its own to cover the functionalities that the adapter framework provides.
WCF provides a solid and extensible channel model to handle messaging-related operations like (WS-* protocols, multi-transport, etc). Is a fact that extending the WCF channel model we can implement interactions with LOB applications. However that doesn’t mean WCF itself presents a framework oriented to model those types of interactions. This is precisely the role of the .NET 3.0 adapter framework. It extends WCF channel model with a set of operations that are common for interactions with LOB applications like: Connection Management, Metadata Management, Metadata Search, Metadata Browsing, etc.
Bottom line the .NET 3.0 Adapter Framework should be seen as a complement to the WCF channel model with LOB interaction components; not as a 100% replacement of the existing BizTalk Adapter Framework.
On future posts I will cover the relations/differences between the .NET 3.0 Adapter Framework and the BizTalk Adapter Framework.