“MatchMaker”: synchronising objects in replicated software-architectures

The authors present an approach and an existing implementation to support the object-wise synchronisation of general software entities. The software toolkit “MatchMaker” allows for synchronising already existing software applications by plugging in transparent event listener mechanisms that distribute information via a central server to other remote applications. Based on the original approach that was presented in 1995, the current implementation of “MatchMaker” serves as the communication basis in real world applications of three computer-integrated classrooms in Europe. Current developments are oriented towards the integration of promising technologies in the field of distributed computing. The main goal of “MatchMaker” is the provision of a powerful yet easily applicable high-level API for synchronising distributed objects