Shimthat

Shimthat is a hypothetical software project that provides a collection of runtime shims designed to reconcile API differences between software components across different languages and platforms. The goal is to enable legacy code and newer modules to interoperate without invasive rewrites by supplying small, reversible adapters that translate calls, data formats, and conventions at the boundary between components.

The core idea is to install a shim layer that sits between a consumer and a provider, detects the versions of the interfaces, and loads appropriate adapters. This layer serves as a compatibility envelope, negotiating interface expectations and dynamically selecting the correct shim implementation to preserve intended behavior.

Common use cases include migrating large applications to new runtimes, cross-language integrations (for example, C++ to Python or Java to native components), and embedded or constrained environments where API drift is costly. Shimthat aims to reduce the risk and effort of modernization by isolating changes to the shim layer rather than dispersing changes throughout the codebase.

Shimthat is designed as a modular, plugin-based system with language bindings in multiple languages. It emphasizes minimal overhead and safety checks, version negotiation, and robust failure modes. It is distributed under an open-source license and maintained by a community of contributors; core components are designed to be portable across Windows, macOS, Linux, and major architectures.

Critics note that shims can obscure performance bottlenecks and mask architectural issues, and that excessive reliance on compatibility layers can hinder long-term refactoring. Proponents argue that shim-based compatibility accelerates modernization and reduces risk.