Glossary · Automation software engineering and architecture
Component interface
Also known as: Software component interface
German: Komponentenschnittstelle
In software engineering, a component interface is the defined set of operations, data, events and rules through which a software component interacts with other components, hiding the component's internal implementation.
- Software engineering
In one sentence
A component interface is the set of operations, data and events through which a software component interacts with others.
Example
The interface of a 'Conveyor' component defines the inputs Start, Stop and SpeedSetpoint, the outputs Running and Fault, and the events it raises for the alarm system.
How it applies
- Engineering: Clear component interfaces allow teams to develop, test and replace components independently. In IEC 61131-3, a function block's inputs, outputs and methods form its interface; in IEC 61499, events and data connections do.
- Integration: Interface mismatches in units, ranges, timing or error handling cause many integration problems. An Interface contract makes these expectations explicit.
- Documentation: Document every interface element with name, type, unit, range, default, timing and error behavior, and state the Interface version. This is the core of library and API documentation, and it should be generated from or checked against the source to avoid drift.
Component interface vs. system interface
A component interface is internal to the software architecture. An Interface (systems engineering) can also describe mechanical, electrical or human interactions between system elements, often captured in an Interface control document (ICD). Software component interfaces are one kind of system interface.