Interoperability
| Autor | Vittorio Bertola and Nicolo Zingales |
| Páginas | 183-184 |
183
Interoperability
51 Interoperability
Vittorio Bertola and Nicolo Zingales
Interoperability is the ability to transfer and render useful data and
other information across systems, applications, or components. The
combination of transmission and analysis involves several layers of
the so-called Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model),
requiring the achievement of various levels of interoperability. At
a minimum, one should distinguish the lower and the upper layer,
pointing to a division between infrastructural interoperability and
data interoperability.
At the infrastructure (lower) layer, interoperability is achieved with
common protocols for the conversion, identification and logical
addressing of data to be transmitted over a network. The most
common standards in this layer are Ethernet and TCP/IP. Protocols
are also used for communication between computer programs over
telecommunications equipment, through common languages such
as HTTP for web content, and SMTP, IMAP and POP3 for emails.
At the application (upper) layer, interoperability is attained by
reading and reproducing specific parts of computer programs,
called interfaces, which contain the information necessary to “run”
programs in a compatible format. However, different interfaces are
needed depending on who actually “runs” the program1550: if it is
from the perspective of the user/consumer of the computer program,
user interfaces are relevant to the ex- tent that they enable him or
her to visualize and deploy a specific set of commands or modes of
interaction with the program, that can potentially be replicated into
another (different) application. Importantly, although this kind of
interoperability can increase a program’s utility to the user, it is not
required for the purpose of its technical functioning. Most choices for
user interfaces are indeed dictated not so much by functional elements
of the program, as by the pursuit of the goals of user friendliness,
aesthetical appeal and promotion of brand-specific features.
In a data-driven economy, the importance of open technical standards
can hardly be overstated: common technical and legal protocols for
interconnection and data processing enable communication and
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