Interop
Interop, short for interoperability, is a software concept that enables different systems, components, or programming languages to work together seamlessly by exchanging data and functionality. It involves techniques like data marshaling, interface definitions, and runtime bridging to allow disparate technologies to communicate and operate as a unified system. This is crucial in heterogeneous environments where applications need to integrate with legacy systems, external services, or diverse platforms.
Developers should learn interop when building applications that need to integrate with external systems, such as calling native libraries from managed code, connecting microservices written in different languages, or interfacing with hardware devices. It is essential in scenarios like enterprise software modernization, cross-platform development, and cloud-native architectures where components must interact across technological boundaries. Understanding interop helps avoid vendor lock-in and enables flexible, scalable solutions.