Web Services

A way of providing computational capabilities using standard Internet protocols and architectural elements. For example, a database web service would use web browser interactions to retrieve and update data located remotely. Web services use UDDI to make their presence known.

Protocols that enable computers to work together by exchanging messages. Web services are based on the standard protocols of XML, SOAP and WSDL, which allow them to interoperate across platforms and programming languages, including the ability to manage federated identities and security.