Description: Gateway middleware is software that acts as a bridge between the API gateway and backend services. Its primary function is to facilitate communication and interoperability between different applications and systems, allowing client requests to be processed efficiently and securely. This type of middleware handles authentication, authorization, request routing, and data transformation, ensuring that information flows correctly between user interfaces and the services that support them. Additionally, gateway middleware can include features such as traffic management, rate limiting, and metrics collection, making it an essential tool for service-oriented architectures and cloud environments. Its relevance has grown in the digital age, where businesses seek to integrate multiple services and applications to provide smoother and more efficient experiences for end users.