In the sphere of technology, the term “web services” is frequently encountered. But what exactly are web services? This post will look into how these services represent a collection of open protocols and standards used for exchanging data between applications or systems. Let us delve into the topic.
What is a web service?
A method of communication between two electronic endpoint devices over a network is known as a web service. It represents a collection of open protocols and standards used for exchanging data between applications or systems. Different platforms can run software applications written in multiple programming languages, using web services to exchange data over computer networks, such as the internet. This process mirrors inter-process communication on a single computer.
Web services serve as a support system for machine-to-machine interaction over a network. Standardized protocols form the foundation of this data exchange. These protocols encompass XML (Extensible Markup Language), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), WSDL (Web Services Description Language), and UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration).
Main components of web services
SOAP
A protocol for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services in computer networks is SOAP. It uses XML as its message format, and relies on application layer protocols, most often Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), for message negotiation and transmission.
WSDL
An XML-based protocol for exchanging web services over a network is WSDL. It provides a model for describing web services. A client program connecting to a web service can read the WSDL to determine what functions are available on the server.
UDDI
UDDI serves as a protocol that allows businesses to list themselves on the internet and discover each other, similar to a traditional phone book’s yellow and white pages. It helps define how they interact over the internet.
XML-RPC
XML-RPC is a remote procedure call (RPC) protocol which uses XML to encode its calls and HTTP as a transport mechanism. It allows software running on disparate operating systems and in different environments to make procedure calls over the internet.
REST
Representational state transfer (REST) is a software architectural style that defines a set of constraints to be used for creating web services. It is a way to develop web services that can be used virtually by any device that communicates over HTTP.
How web services work
Web services work through the sending of XML messages over a network. These messages follow a standardized protocol. The sender sends an XML request to a service, which then sends back an XML response. This exchange happens over HTTP, making it possible for machines to communicate with each other from anywhere in the world.
Uses for web services
Web services allow various applications to communicate with each other and share data and services among themselves. They provide a common platform that enables multiple applications built on various programming languages to communicate. Web services are not tied to any one operating system or programming language, enabling them to be self-contained, modular, distributed, dynamic applications that can be described, published, located, or invoked over the network to create products, processes, and supply chains.
The vital role of web services in IT
Web services serve as a critical component of the architecture for functional internet applications. Their role is vital in enabling the application to be flexible, versatile, and capable of quick adaptation to changing business environments.
