Adapters perform two key tasks: conversion and communication. Adapters convert data from sensors or embedded systems, convert data read from or written to database servers, read log files, and so on.
An input adapter reads data from a source that is external to the Sybase CEP Engine (for example, from a data feed, from a message bus, from a file, from a database server, or from a sensor), converts that data into a representation appropriate for a particular SDK being used, and publishes the data to a stream by using appropriate SDK function calls. The stream, in turn, sends the data to the engine.
Similarly, for output, the engine sends data to a stream; the stream sends the data to an output adapter; and the output adapter converts the data to the desired external format and writes it to a data destination, such as a file.
The basic flow of data in a Sybase CEP Engine is thus:
input adapter -> stream -> engine -> stream -> output adapter
Adapters may do such things as: converting data from sensors or embedded systems, converting data read from or written to database servers, reading log files, and so on.