Abstract

Middleware is not a new concept in distributed computing. It was first accepted as a term used to describe distributed software architecture during the 1990s and has evolved significantly since then with the increase in computer networking and the resulting use of distributed systems. The following is aA definition of middleware that was proposed by Emmerich (2000) and embodies the concepts of middleware: “Middleware is a layer between network operating systems and application components which facilitates communication and coordination of distributed components” (p.120).