Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M2149

Anti-Corruption Layer

Anti-Corruption Layer
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-31

CORE DEFINITION

When a new system needs to integrate with a legacy system (or an external messy system), to prevent the poor model of the messy system from contaminating the core logic of the new system, an isolation layer is established in between, dedicated to translation and conversion.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Protect core assets. When collaborating with a chaotic external environment or unreliable departments, do not directly couple; an 'anti-corruption layer' (such as a dedicated liaison or data cleansing mechanism) must be established to keep the internal core pure.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Insert an adapter layer between two models/systems to translate and isolate each other's concepts, preventing one side's chaos from 'corrupting' the other.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    learn.microsoft.comhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/patterns/anti-corruption-layerZH · Explicit
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