What are Web Services and the underlying protocol used with it?

Web Services are applications that provide services on the internet. Web services allow for programmatic access of business logic over the Web. Web services typically rely on XML-based protocols, messages, and interface descriptions for communication and access.

Web services are designed for use by other programs or applications rather than directly by end user. Programs invoking a Web service are called clients. SOAP over HTTP is the most commonly used protocol for invoking Web services.

There are three main uses of Web services. Application integration Web services within an intranet are commonly used to integrate business applications running on different platforms. For example, a .NET client running on Windows 2000 can easily invoke a Java Web service running on a mainframe or Unix machine to retrieve data from a legacy application.

Business integration Web services allow trading partners to engage in e-business allowing them to leverage the existing Internet infrastructure. Organizations can send electronic purchase orders to suppliers and receive electronic invoices. Doing e-business with Web services means a low barrier to entry because Web services can be added to existing applications running on any platform without changing legacy code.

Commercial Web services focus on selling content and business services to clients over the Internet similar to familiar Web pages. Unlike Web pages, commercial Web services target applications as their direct users.

Example, Continental Airlines exposes flight schedules and status Web services for travel Web sites and agencies to use in their applications. Like Web pages, commercial Web services are valuable only if they offer services that are needed. It makes sense to sell real-time weather information or stock quotes as a Web service. Technology can help you add value to your services and explore new markets. However ultimately customers pay for contents and/or business services, not for technology.

Written by Sandeep Mogulla, Webmaster at www.startvbdotnet.com

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