Techniques are provided to integrate two or more application systems by
using a declarative approach that describes functions or rules to be
performed to integrate application systems. Particular integration
functions are defined that may be useful for common integration
activities. Integration functions may be defined for particular objects
and may be assembled to form a declarative business process flow. The
declarative business process flow identifies the objects to be exchanged
between two or more systems, the sequence of particular transformation
functions, the physical field to field transformations required, and the
physical connection to be established between the systems. An application
integration workstation is described that provides a framework and tools
to design, develop and modify (or maintain) application integration
software. Such an application integration workstation may reduce the time
required to construct or maintain application integration software, which
may be referred to as "rapid application integration."