ENABLING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN APPLICATION PROGRAM AND SERVICES USED BY THE APPLICATION PROGRAM

Communicating between multiple application programs includes providing an adapter to a first computer application for use in accessing a second computer application that provides a function to the first computer application. The inputs and outputs of the function are defined by the first computer application. The adapter is made available to the first computer application for use in accessing the second computer application. The adapter is configured to accept from the first computer application the inputs to the function and provide to the second computer application the inputs in a form that the second computer application is able to use. The adapter is configured to receive from the second computer application outputs from the function and provide to the first computer application the outputs in a form that the first computer application is able to use.