Which integration pattern would be appropriate for temporarily bridging between a legacy system and Salesforce during a transition period?

Using a middleware integration pattern is appropriate for temporarily bridging between a legacy system and Salesforce during a transition period because middleware can act as an intermediary layer that facilitates communication and data exchange between disparate systems without direct connections. This is particularly useful when a seamless transition is needed, allowing the legacy system to operate alongside Salesforce while gradually migrating data or processes.

Middleware can handle various transformations and protocol translations, which is essential when dealing with different data formats or communication mechanisms that the legacy system and Salesforce may use. This flexibility allows for a smooth transition, enabling businesses to maintain operational continuity while integrating new applications.

Additionally, middleware can provide monitoring and error-handling features, which are valuable during transitional periods where you may encounter unexpected issues as systems interact. This reduces the risk associated with direct integrations and allows the organization to address problems in a controlled manner.

In contrast, other options like point-to-point connections may lead to complex dependencies and hinder scalability, while API-based integration typically assumes a more permanent setup rather than a temporary bridge. A data migration approach focuses on moving data rather than ongoing integration, which does not help with operational continuity during the transition period.