Mask-Mediator-Wrapper: A revised mediator-wrapper architecture for heterogeneous data source integration

Abstract

This paper deals with the mediator-wrapper architecture. It is an important architectural pattern that enables a more flexible and modular architecture in opposition to monolithic architectures for data source integration systems. This paper identifies certain realistic and concrete scenarios where the mediator-wrapper architecture underperforms. These issues are addressed with the extension of the architecture via the mask component type. The mask component is detailed so it can be reasoned about without prescribing a concrete programming language or paradigm. The benefits of the new mask-mediator-wrapper architecture are analytically proven in relevant scenarios. One of the applications of the new architecture is envisioned for modern data sources integration systems backing Big data processing.