Applications
Introduction
An Applications Project is where logic meets purpose, where reusable Core libraries are adapted, customized, and deployed to solve specific business problems. In Machanism, Applications Projects serve as the bridge between standardized Core modules and the real-world complexities of unique workflows, environments, and requirements.
Just as Robert C. Martin emphasized the importance of boundaries in software architecture, Applications Projects create boundaries in customization. They transform shared functionality into tailored implementations while preserving the modular and reusable nature of the Core foundation. This approach ensures flexibility, scalability, and adaptability without undermining the integrity of the system.
What is an Applications Project?
Applications Projects extend and customize Core libraries to meet specialized application-specific needs. They are built on the modular principles of Machanism, ensuring that even when workflows are adapted, the clean architectural boundaries between components remain intact.
Here’s what an Applications Project does:
- Customization: Applications Projects introduce specific implementations for workflows built on top of Core modules.
- Adaptation: They tailor Core libraries to fit deployment environments—whether it's cloud, on-premise, or serverless platforms.
- Complementing Core: They ensure Core entities, use cases, and adapters can flexibly adapt to application-specific requirements without altering their base logic.
How Applications Projects Work
Applications Projects leverage Core libraries (entities, use cases, adapters) as their foundation. While Core modules provide generic, reusable functionality, Applications Projects refine, enhance, and adapt these modules for a particular purpose.
Key Features:
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Custom Workflows
Applications Projects enable specific implementations, such as integrating external APIs, handling regional configurations, or creating domain-specific workflows. -
Infrastructure Integration
They adapt Core functionality to work seamlessly with target environments, including databases, messaging systems, and third-party services. -
Layer of Isolation
Applications Projects act as a protective barrier that isolates customization while ensuring the shared Core logic remains undisturbed and reusable.
This clean separation aligns with Clean Architecture, allowing applications to scale independently while keeping the system modular and maintainable.
How Applications Projects Solve Real-World Problems
Imagine an e-commerce platform powered by Machanism. While the Core library provides product, order, and customer entities, Applications Projects take these reusable bricks and implement workflows tailored to the business’s needs:
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Region-Specific Configurations
- Applications Projects customize tax calculations, shipping workflows, or currency handling based on regional laws and practices.
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Custom UI Interactions
- Build RESTful APIs or GraphQL endpoints tailored for front-end frameworks, enabling smooth communication between the user interface and backend logic.
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Workflow Integration
- For example, an Applications Project might adapt the Core order entity to handle external payment gateway APIs or real-time stock updates from supplier feeds.
Through Applications Projects, Machanism enables businesses to create solutions that don’t just work universally—they work uniquely for their needs.
Benefits of Applications Projects
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Flexibility in Customization
- Applications Projects simplify the process of adapting shared functionality to fit diverse requirements.
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Preservation of Modularity
- The Core remains untouched, retaining its reusability across other projects while Applications handle the details.
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Scalability at Scale
- Applications Projects scale independently through modular customization. Even when workflows evolve, Core libraries remain stable.
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Improved Collaboration
- Multiple teams can work on different Applications Projects simultaneously, integrating their solutions seamlessly into the broader ecosystem.
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Clean Architecture Compliance
- Separation of concerns ensures application-specific needs don’t bleed into shared domain logic, preserving system integrity.
Structure of Applications Projects
Applications Projects have similar architecture to Core Projects, ensuring compatibility and integration:
Primary Adapters
- Use Cases to API Integration: Handle external communication, such as connecting workflows to RESTful endpoints, external services, or event-driven systems.
Example: Adapting Core order workflow into API calls for a payment gateway.
Secondary Adapters
- Infrastructure-Specific Customization: Tightly integrate workflows with external tools like databases, messaging queues, or logging systems.
Example: Mapping persistence logic to custom database schemas or event logs to specialized monitoring tools.
This layered structure ensures that even complex customizations retain the clean isolation principles required for scalability and maintainability.
Applications Projects in the Machanism Ecosystem
Applications Projects are essential to the Machanism philosophy: Divide and Use.
They ensure that the system remains modular, allowing developers to:
- Divide Core modules into reusable bricks.
- Use their functionality to define specific workflows tailored to unique business needs.
Each Applications Project acts as a unique link in the chain, creating an ecosystem where shared logic meets specialized solutions seamlessly.
Why Applications Projects Matter
Every business is unique—but not disconnected. While Core Projects provide the generic backbone required for scalability, Applications Projects provide the customization and flexibility essential for addressing the distinctive needs of individual applications.
By introducing these modules, Machanism enables:
- Reusable Foundations: Adapting Core libraries to dynamic workflows.
- Tailored Implementations: Customizing logic without sacrificing system integrity.
- Scalable Ecosystems: Independent modules, connected seamlessly.
Final Thoughts
Applications Projects are where Core logic meets creativity. They preserve the integrity of shared libraries while enabling developers to craft tailored workflows that meet the demands of modern businesses. This modular design ensures flexibility, adaptability, and maintainability—a cornerstone of the Machanism philosophy.
With Applications Projects, every customization adds value, every adaptation strengthens the system, and every solution scales with purpose.
And as always, remember: Divide and Use!