Implementing SOA Using Java™ EE

4. Message Oriented Services and SOAP

SOAP is a web service extension of Extensible Markup Language (XML). This simple, powerful protocol promises multifarious advantages to the enterprise processes for delivering service (or exchange information). SOAP efficiently piggybacks on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and, as a result, can help enterprises exchange information on the Internet. The enormous success of SOAP as a protocol of choice can be attributed to its simplicity and elegance. The SOAP message, in its present version, can carry textual and binary information. Although the textual information can be enclosed in the body of the message, the nontextual information can be carried as a MIME attachment. A SOAP message can be exchanged ...