Interapplication Data Exchange

Developing the ability to communicate data from one application software to another is also of paramount importance for current application requirements. For example, it may be possible to calculate a certain quantity using only particular software, which is then found lacking in terms of how to process it further. The need to exchange data between applications leads to the need to develop interapplication data exchange protocols. Typically, this is currently done at the text level, which introduces the possibility of error in the output-input transformation as well as the time to perform the conversion and transfer. 

Each GUI has its own standards for interapplication data exchange. Popular examples are today Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) in Microsoft Windows, Inter-Apphcation Communication (LAC) in the upcoming version 7 of the Apple Macintosh operating system, and AppUcation Communication Services (ACS) on the Digital platforms under DECWindows. 

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