N-GEN Communications Web-based Seminars ©NGCS

Seminar - An Overview of Communications Technologies

Module 6 - Internet, Intranet, Extranet, e-Commerce and Web Services                                      Slide 64 of 70 _________________                                                                                  __________

                                    Characteristics of a Web Service

                                Accessible Over any Type of Web Environment

                                A Web Service to Provide an Interface that can be
                                   called from Other Program

                                A Web Service locatable from a Web Service Registry

                                Web Services pass Messages to each other

_________________                                                                                  __________

There are distinct characteristics which are exhibited by Web Services: applicable to Internet, Intranet and Extranet (all Web environments), interacting as a liaison between the Web and the actual application logic that implements the service, registered with a Web Service Registry, and supporting connections between systems. To achieve all of the above in a Web Service standard programming languages are used.

Accessible Over any Type of Web Environment - A Web Service is accessible over the Web. Web Services are platform independent and language neutral Web protocols. 

Interface to Other Programs - A Web Service provides an interface that can be called from other programs. The application-to-application programming interface can be invoked from other-application clients or services.

Finding a Web Service - A Web Service is registered with a Web Service Registry. A consumer can find a Web Service from a registry that matches his/her needs.

Make Connections Flexible - Web Services support connections between systems and communicate by passing messages to each other.