What is meant by Object Request Broker (ORB)?
An "Object Request Broker (ORB)" is middleware that allows objects in a distributed system to communicate with each other. An ORB mediates requests from a client object to a server object, regardless of where these objects are physically located. ORBs are central to distributed object-oriented programming and are a core component of CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture).
Typical Software Functions in the Area of "Object Request Broker (ORB)":
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Object Mediation:
- Transmitting requests and responses between client and server objects in a distributed system.
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Transparent Communication:
- Enabling interaction between objects without developers needing to handle the details of network communication.
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Naming Service:
- Providing a directory for registering and locating objects in the network.
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Lifecycle Management:
- Managing the creation, activation, deactivation, and destruction of objects.
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Security:
- Ensuring that only authorized clients can access certain server objects and implementing encryption and authentication.
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Transaction Management:
- Supporting the coordination and management of transactions across multiple distributed objects.
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Error Handling and Recovery:
- Mechanisms for handling errors and recovering communication in case of failures.
