Web Services are the basic components in a move towards a distributed computing model for the Internet. Standards compliance and the concentration on communication and collaboration amongst people and applications have shaped an environment where Web Services have effectively become the standard for enterprise application integration. Applications are constructed using multiple Web Services from a variety of sources that interoperate notwithstanding their physical location or their underlying implementation.
One of the chief benefit of the Web Services architecture is that it permits program functionality written in different languages and running on different platforms to exchange information in a standards based manner. Web Services make available a simplified mechanism to link applications regardless of the technology or devices they use or their location. They are based on industry standard protocols with widespread vendor support that can leverage the Internet for economical communications leveraging ubiquitous Internet protocols and infrastructure. The loosely coupled messaging method supports numerous connectivity and information sharing scenarios through services that are both self describing and automatically discoverable.
An additional advantage that XML Web Services have over earlier endeavors is that they operate within standard Web protocols—XML, HTTP and TCP/IP. A substantial number of organizations currently have a Web infrastructure and individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced in its operation and maintenance, so the initial learning curve for Web Services adoption is appreciably less than with earlier technologies. By removing the dependence on the underlying implementation it is unnecessary to understand the implementation model. This increase in separation reduces complexity and the costs associated with integration and assembly.
The Web Services platform also signifies a progression over previous distributed component technologies like remote procedure calls , messaging and Web applications. Over the years architects turned to the emergent Web as a possible alternative to the challenges of other conventional technologies. Interoperability has always been a overarching interest for businesses, but it has become a much greater priority across the industry. The two major functions where interoperability is a considerable challenge are Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Business-to-Business Integration (B2B).
The Web Services platform defines a straightforward, interoperable, messaging framework on which you can build more sophistication. It does not provide the same level of maturity in important features like security, routing, transactions, and so on as do many preceding distributed system technologies. The justification for this latest distributed computing model is cross programming language and cross platform interoperability. For the first time since distributed computing has been a mainstream concept, Web Services make available a solution based on open standards that can in fact provide interoperability.
Dependence on open, broadly agreed to standards is just a piece of the solution. The solution needs provide a high degree of interoperability and protocol implementations that are easily accessible. Vendors are working together to advance the standards that comprise the Web services stack. This may be due to timing and economics, or possible the Internet’s impact on programming paradigms. Unlike the single vendor implementation requirements that resulted from proprietary distributed computing models, vendors are agreeing that it is in everyone’s advantage to standardize on a distributed computing model with which applications can achieve interoperability supporting multiple connectivity and information sharing scenarios.
