Change management of interfaces in distributed computer systems

摘要

Mechanisms for change management of interfaces in a distributed computer system are provided in which there are multiple versions of an interface describing communication between distributed client and server applications. The mechanisms include providing an indication with a response to an operation of an interface that an alternative interface is available. The information can include: a time interval in which a client application must contact a server application using the version of the interface, a reference to a succeeding version of the interface; and/or an indication of an expiry date and time of an interface. The interface itself is used to communicate version and validity information and change to client applications.