AdapterModule

An AdapterModule is a software component that encapsulates an adapter responsible for translating between two incompatible interfaces or data representations, enabling components to communicate without modifications to their own code. It serves as a bridge that hides the details of external or legacy systems behind a common internal interface.

In typical use, the AdapterModule provides a uniform, internal API and delegates actual work to one or more concrete adapters that implement the external interfaces. The module may support configuration or a registry to select among adapters at runtime, allowing the system to switch implementations without recompilation. It may also perform data transformation, error normalization, and lightweight orchestration to align different lifecycle expectations.

Key design considerations include managing indirection overhead, maintaining clear separation of concerns, and ensuring version compatibility between internal interfaces and external adapters. The module should promote testability through mock adapters and clear contract definitions. Thread-safety, fault tolerance, and configurable retry or fallback strategies are common concerns in robust implementations. Variants of the AdapterModule may include static adapters bound at build time or dynamic adapters loaded through a plugin or service-provider framework.

Common use cases cover integrating legacy systems or third-party services with a modern internal API, unifying multiple data formats, and enabling seamless switchable backends for features such as payment gateways or messaging protocols. Related concepts include the Adapter design pattern, Facade, Bridge, and plugin-based architectures.