Which system integration term describes the method, format, and protocol used for communication between two systems?

The term that accurately describes the method, format, and protocol used for communication between two systems is "interface." In system integration, an interface serves as the point of interaction where two systems connect and exchange data. It encompasses not only the communication protocol but also the data format and the specific methods used to facilitate this interchange.

An interface can take various forms, such as API endpoints, web services, or messaging formats, depending on how the systems are designed to communicate. This makes the term particularly relevant in the context of integration practices, where the ability for different systems to understand and utilize shared data is crucial for overall functionality.

Understanding interfaces is vital for any integration effort as they ensure that the transmitting and receiving systems can interpret the shared information correctly. This ensures the integrity and efficiency of data exchanges, which is key in enterprise environments where multiple applications often need to work in tandem.