# DataSource

DataSource is the Caplin Platform’s communications infrastructure that enables Platform components to communicate with each other.

![Transformer and two Integration Adapters"](../../images/DataSource_Overview.png)

## DataSource applications

[Caplin Liberator](../liberator/index.md), [Caplin Transformer](../transformer/index.md) and [Integration Adapters](../platform-architecture/putting-data-into-the-platform.md) are all **DataSource applications**. A DataSource application communicates with any other DataSource application using standard message formats transmitted via TCP/IP sockets. You develop these applications using the [DataSource APIs and libraries](datasource-the-datasource-apis-and-libraries.md), including the [Caplin Integration Suite](../cis/index.md).

## DataSource peers

A DataSource peer is a DataSource application that another DataSource application is configured to communicate with.

## More DataSource features and concepts:

* [The DataSource APIs and libraries](datasource-the-datasource-apis-and-libraries.md)
* [Subscriptions](datasource-subscriptions.md)
* [Subjects, symbols and fields](datasource-subjects-symbols-and-fields.md)
* [Data types](datasource-data-types.md)
* [DataSource configuration](datasource-datasource-configuration.md)
* [Data services](datasource-data-services.md)
* [DataSource monitoring and management](datasource-datasource-monitoring-and-management.md)

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**See also:**

* [DataSource applications and Integration Adapters](../platform-architecture/putting-data-into-the-platform.md)
* [DataSource configuration reference](datasource-datasource-configuration-reference-introduction.md)