What is an Anti-Corruption Layer (ACL)?

Updated Apr 28, 2026

Short answer

A DDD pattern that acts as an isolation layer between different subsystems, translating data and models to prevent legacy concepts from polluting new architectures.

Deep explanation

When communicating with a legacy system or external third-party API, the ACL translates the external model into your internal Domain Model. This ensures your core domain remains pure and isn't constrained by external design flaws.

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