.NET Security and Cryptography

Next Generation of Distributed Computing: Web Services

An XML Web service is a programmable application component that provides some serviceable, useful functionality, such as application logic, and is available to any number of potentially incongruent systems through the use of standard protocols, such as XML and HTTP. Web services provide the ability to exchange messages in a loosely coupled environment (whereas DCOM, IIOP, and Java/RMI require tight integration between the client and the server) through the use of common data formats and standard protocols, such as XML, SOAP, and HTTP.

Since Web services are based on standard data formats and protocols, Web service applications can communicate with a wide range of implementations, platforms, ...