adaptrar

Adaptrar (adapters) are devices, components, or concepts that enable compatibility between two interfaces, standards, or systems that would not otherwise work together. The term is used across electronics, computing, and software design to describe a bridging function that adapts one form of signal, connector, or protocol to another.

In hardware, adapters come in many forms. Electrical plug adapters enable use of devices in regions with different outlet shapes, voltages, or frequencies. Signal adapters translate physical interfaces, such as HDMI-to-DVI, USB-C-to-Ethernet, or audio/video converters. Power adapters adjust voltage or current to match a device’s requirements, while active adapters include electronics to translate signals or timing, as opposed to passive adapters that simply re-shape connectors. Travel adapters are a common consumer example, enabling international compatibility for consumer electronics.

Standards and safety considerations are important. Adapters must respect regional plug types and electrical specifications, including voltage and current ratings. Certifications (such as UL, CE) and isolation ratings are relevant for safety. Limitations exist: some adapters may not support all features (for example, high-resolution video, certain copy protections, or high-speed data protocols) or may introduce latency or compression. In some cases, adapters can affect warranty or device performance.

In software, the Adapter design pattern is a conceptual counterpart. It converts the interface of an existing class into one that a client expects, allowing incompatible interfaces to work together without modifying the original class. Key roles are the Target (the client-facing interface), the Adaptee (the existing interface), and the Adapter (implements Target by delegating to the Adaptee). Variants include object adapters (composition) and class adapters (inheritance). The pattern is used to integrate legacy code with new systems or to enable reuse of existing components.