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[ontolog] [Fwd: Sidebar from Feb .net magizine]

To: Ontolog-forums-cim3-net <ontolog@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: Leo Obrst <lobrst@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 13:48:30 -0500
Message-id: <3E26FE7E.3447A3F4@xxxxxxxxx>
FYI (might be of interest here).

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  Sidebar from Feb .net magizine
Date:  Thu, 16 Jan 2003 13:31:03 -0500
From:  "John Flynn" <jflynn@xxxxxxx>
To:  <daml-services@xxxxxxxx>

Meet the WS-I

The Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I), which was cofounded by Microsoft Corp. and IBM, is an open industry organization chartered to promote Web services interoperability across platforms, operating systems, and programming languages. The organization works across the industry and standards organizations, responding to customer needs by providing guidance, best practices, and resources for developing Web services solutions. Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, BEA, Fujitsu, Intel, Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, and SAP are nine WS-I founding companies. 

The WS-I has said that it plans to appoint two new members to its board, one of which could Microsoft rival Sun Microsystems Inc. Sun finally joined WS-I in October 2002 and is, therefore, eligible. This could pave the way for the consortium to develop Web services standards that are embraced by software rivals.

The WS-I was formed specifically to create, support, or promote Generic Protocols for Interoperable exchange of messages between services. Generic Protocols are independent of the specific actions messages indicate beyond those actions that messages need for secure, reliable, and efficient delivery. "Interoperable" means being suitable for and capable of being implemented neutrally on multiple operating systems, in multiple programming languages.

The WS-I is organized into three key working groups:

  • The Basic Web Services Profile Working Group will identify a core set of specifications (including XML Schema, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI) that provide the foundation for Web services. It will establish conventions and recommendations for coordinating their use. 
  • The Sample Applications Working Group will provide sample applications of basic Web services that accelerate deployments. These sample apps illustrate best practices for implementation and will be developed in multiple programming languages using multiple development tools. 
  • The Test Materials and Tools Development Working Group will develop a suite of self-administered tests to verify conformance with the Basic Web Services Profile. Developers will be able to use these tools and materials to ensure Web services interoperate across platforms, applications, and programming languages. 
If you're implementing Web services, it's wise to comply with the existing standards-based model, which enables interoperability and a faster time to market. The WS-I can provide the clarity, guidance, and direction around usability aspects as you move into the Web services model of computing.

To assist in ensuring the interoperability of Web services, the WS-I will create a suite of tools and materials initially for testing implementations and their conformance with "basic level" Web services standards: XML, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI. These testing capabilities are important so you can ensure your implementations comply with the best practices use for these Web services specifications. Tests will be self-administered and aim at uncovering unconventional usage or errors in specification implementations, thus improving interoperability between applications and across platforms. 

John Flynn

(703) 284-4612

DAML Integration and Transition PM

BBN Technologies

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