IDL stands for Interface Definition Language. It is a computer language used to define the interfaces for distributed systems. IDL acts as a language-independent specification that allows software components written in different programming languages to interact and communicate with each other.
IDL serves as a bridge between different programming languages by providing a standard way to define the interfaces, structures, and operations of components in a distributed system. It allows developers to describe the data types, procedures, and method signatures that can be used by other software components.
In IDL, interfaces are defined as a set of abstract data types and procedures, which serve as the contract between the components. They define what data inputs and outputs are expected, as well as the operations that can be performed on those inputs. IDL also ensures that the components adhere to a common communication protocol, enabling interoperability and allowing components to work together seamlessly.
IDL-based interfaces facilitate the development of software components that can be distributed and located on different systems, including different hardware architectures and operating systems. It simplifies the process of integrating different software components while promoting modularity, reusability, and extensibility. The IDL description is usually translated into different programming languages using an IDL compiler or preprocessor to generate the necessary code to build the component in the target language.
Overall, IDL plays a crucial role in enabling cross-language communication and interoperability in distributed systems by providing a standardized method to define interfaces and interactions between software components.
