Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Automation software engineering and architecture

Adapter pattern

Also known as: Adapter, Wrapper pattern

German: Adaptermuster

In software engineering, the adapter pattern is a structural design pattern that converts the interface of an existing component into another interface that clients expect, so components with incompatible interfaces can work together without changing either of them.

  • Software engineering

In one sentence

The adapter pattern converts one component's interface into the interface a client expects, so incompatible parts can work together.

Example

An adapter class maps a vendor-specific drive library to the machine's generic 'Axis' interface, so the motion sequence code stays unchanged when the drive supplier changes.

How it applies

  • Engineering: Adapters are common at the edges of automation software: wrapping a device driver, a legacy PLC library or a third-party API behind the interface used in the rest of the application.
  • Maintenance: When a component is replaced, only the adapter has to change. Keep adapters thin so that they translate data and calls without adding business logic.
  • Documentation: Record which external interface each adapter wraps, including its version, units and value ranges, and how values are converted. Unit or scaling conversions inside adapters are a frequent source of errors and should be visible in the interface documentation.

Adapter vs. facade

An adapter makes an existing interface match a different, expected interface. A Facade pattern defines a new, simpler interface to a whole subsystem. Adapters solve compatibility problems; facades reduce complexity.

In Hexagonal architecture, adapters connect the application core to the outside world through ports.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Knowledge editorial definition, based on object-oriented design pattern literature (Gamma et al., Design Patterns, 1994)

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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