Middleware started as a bridge between new applications and legacy systems before it gained popularity in the 1980s. Developers initially used it to integrate new programs with earlier systems without rewriting the earlier code. Middleware has become an important communication and data management tool in distributed systems.
Developers use middleware to support application development and simplify design processes. This leaves them free to focus on business logic and features instead of connectivity between different software components. Without middleware, developers would have to build a data exchange module for each software component that connects to the application. This is challenging because modern applications consist of multiple microservices or small software components that talk to each other.