Elements of Service-Oriented Architecture SOA Computing

Elements of Service-Oriented Architecture SOA Computing

Introduction

Service-oriented computing represents a new generation distributed computing platform. As such, it encompasses many things, including its own design paradigm and design principles, design pattern catalogs, pattern languages, a distinct architectural model, and related concepts, technologies, and frameworks.

It sounds like a pretty big umbrella, and it is. Service-oriented computing builds upon past distributed computing platforms and adds new design layers, governance considerations, and a vast set of preferred implementation technologies. That’s why taking the time to understand its underlying mechanics before proceeding to the actual design and construction phases of a delivery project is time well spent.

To better understand the fundamental complexion of a typical service-oriented computing platform we need to describe each of its primary parts, which we’ll refer to as elements:

- Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
- Service-Orientation
- Service-Oriented Solution Logic
- Services
- Service Compositions
- Service Inventory

The following pages define each of these elements and conclude with illustrations that explain how they can inter-relate. The symbols introduced in the upcoming pages are used repeatedly within subsequent parts of this Web site, as well as the www.soaprinciples.com site, and the books in the Prentice Hall Service-Oriented Computing Series from Thomas Erl.