What Is a Web Service?

Let's start with the simplest definition. In the purest sense, a Web service is a product in the form of a reusable function built by one company that is exposed on the Internet for another company to use.

You can already find Web services on the Internet. A simple example is the automated site search service provided by Atomz. For a demonstration, use the search engine at www.jspinsider.com; the search request happens at the JSP Insider site, but the actual search occurs at another site hosting the search service. The Web service concept is growing and an exciting new model of business is evolving. What we now have is a situation where the Web service concept is exploding into new territory and expanding in its capabilities. ...

Get JSP™ and XML Integrating XML and Web Services in Your JSP™ Application now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.