In the context of Ethereum's Solidity language, developers can use Chainlink's decentralized blockchain oracles to connect real-world data and events to blockchain applications. While Chainlink's core adapters facilitate easy configuration and validation of data from open APIs, they sometimes lack the flexibility and functionality developers require, such as API authentication, privacy protection, and interoperability across blockchains. External adapters, on the other hand, allow developers to access premium data and connect smart contracts to paid web APIs, enhancing the adaptability of Chainlink nodes. The text explores the development and operation of external adapters, emphasizing their role in enabling smart contracts to perform off-chain computations and integrate diverse data sources. A step-by-step guide is provided for creating an external adapter that retrieves weather data using a Node.js template, highlighting the importance of API key management for security. The document also explains how external adapters can be deployed by node operators without developers needing to run their own nodes, thus promoting decentralization and ease of use. Through examples, it illustrates how adapters can be used to fetch data like stock prices, demonstrating their power in expanding the functionality and connectivity of smart contracts.