Web Services: What's the Big Deal?

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Web Services: What's the Big Deal?

by Luc K. Richard

October 1, 2003


Throughout my career, I've heard a lot of hype about killer apps that were supposed to revolutionize the way we build applications and do business online. I never paid much attention to hype, but there's been a lot of excitement recently about Web services.

What is a Web Service?
A Web service is simply an application that exposes a function that is accessible using standard Web technology and that adheres to Web services standards. There is nothing exceptional about the technology of Web services. As a matter of fact, it's the technology's simplicity that makes it so attractive.

Web services use the HTTP protocol to transfer XML data. Because these technologies are ubiquitous, it allows Web services to run on any platform, and to be developed in any programming language.

Reality or Hype?
In my opinion, Web services are very real.

For one thing, some very big names are behind it: Microsoft, Sun, IBM, BEA, Fujitsu, Oracle and Visa, just to name a few.



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