Generic Web Services
Fundamental Web Service Operation
 | What is a Web Service?
A Web Service is an internet accessible server which simplifies a complex process. The service is given a simple request, performs the complex series of operations and returns a simple result. |
 | Example of a Hypothetical Web Service
Lets say that bank would like a simple service for its stock brokers to use.
The 'buyStock' service takes a request like: "Account 56893 wants to buy 300 shares of HTI at $25.67."
It then goes and finds someone to buy the stock from, agrees on the price, moves money from the customer's account, and transfers the newly purchased stock to the customer's portfolio.
And responds with "Stock Purchased". |
Open Web Services
| What is an Open Web Service?
An Open Web Service is a Web Services that:
- has a well known format for what the request looks like
- has a well defined meaning for how to execute the request
- has a well known format for the what the response looks like
- the definition is codified in a Specification Document
|
These operation are defined in a specification. Any service that implements the spec will behave in exactly the same way.
