Open Systems Integration

The open-system environment (OSE) forms an extensible framework that allows services, interfaces, protocols, and supporting data formats to be defined in terms of nonproprietary specifications that evolve through open (public), consensus-based forums. A selected suite of specifications that defines these interfaces, services, protocols, and data formats for a particular class or domain of applications is called a profile.

Two types of elements are used in the model:

entities consisting of the application software, application platform, and platform external environment:

Application software

Within the context of the OSE Reference Model, the application software includes data, documentation, and training, as well as programs.

Application platform

The application platform is composed of the collection of hardware and software components that provide the generic application and system services.

Platform external environment

The platform external environment consists of those system elements that are external to the application software and the application platform (e.g., services provided by other platforms or peripheral devices).

and interfaces including the application program interface and external environment interface:

Application programming interface (API)

The API is the interface between the application software and the application platform. Its primary function is to support portability of application software. An API is categorized in accordance with the types of service accessible via that API. There are four types of API services in the OSE/RM:

• Human/computer interface services
• Information interchange services
• Communication services
• Internal system services

External environment interface (EEI)

The EEI is the interface that supports information transfer between the application platform and the external environment, and between applications executing on the same platform. Consisting chiefly of protocols and supporting data formats, the EEI supports interoperability to a large extent. An EEI is categorized in accordance with the type of information transfer services provided.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_System_Environment_Reference_Model

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