Federate

Enhanced Definition

To `federate` in the mainframe context typically refers to the process of integrating disparate data sources, applications, or services, often across different platforms (including z/OS and distributed systems), to present them as a single, unified logical entity. This allows users or applications to access and query data or invoke services without needing to know the underlying physical location or specific access methods of each individual component.

Key Characteristics

- Data Abstraction: Creates a virtual layer that hides the complexity and heterogeneity of underlying data sources (e.g., DB2, IMS, VSAM, flat files, or even non-mainframe databases).
- Unified Access: Provides a single point of access (e.g., a SQL interface or API endpoint) for querying or interacting with data that originates from multiple systems.
- Real-time Integration: Often designed for real-time or near real-time access to live