The directory client API which we added in R11.0 has been extended for R11.2. An important change is that this API now supports both X.500 DAP (Directory Access Protocol) and the Internet Standard LDAP (Lightweight DAP).
This is done in a way so that a single application can mix LDAP and DAP calls, and that exactly the same API is used for both. The only difference is how calls are initiated. A directory connection is opened by specifying a string. A different format is used for DAP (RFC 1278 format) and LDAP (RFC 2255 format), and the appropriate type of connection is opened. For example ‘"X500"/Internet=dsa.example.com’ would get DAP and ‘ldap://ldap.example.com’ would get LDAP.
We believe that this is a useful and simple API that is good for developing both LDAP and DAP applications. It will be particularly important in markets where there are conformance requirements for DAP (such as military or aviation). This will give application developers the ability to develop applications that are conformant, but may also be used with LDAP.
We’ve also extended the API to allow applications to update the directory (Add, Delete, Modify). This means that the API can be used for a wider range of applications.
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