Modeling of the XOM/XMP application programming interface (API)

With the growing complexity of communication protocols, it is increasingly difficult for application developers to interface the applications to the communication stacks across a number of platforms. A common application program interface (API) is needed for the purpose. The API can effectively conceal the complexities of communication protocols and architecture, making it easier for application development. This article presents the modeling and development of a generic API, XOM and an application-specific API, XMP. XOM API provides a general-purpose data handling mechanism and XMP API provides service primitives to network management protocols. The development is based on object-oriented technology. The attractiveness of object-oriented implementation is its ability to provide encapsulation, reusability and extensibility in the software modules. The benefits and difficulties encountered during the implementation are to be discussed. The experience will be useful for API development.