Service-Oriented Architecture

Synonyms

SOA

Definition

Service Oriented Architecture is a conceptual model for integration of software systems where system function is performed by coordinated invocation of services. In this model term service refers to significant atomic computational activity that can be invoked over a computer network. Service computational activity is significant in the sense that it is in order of several magnitudes more complex than a function invocation and atomic in the sense that it is a smallest element of functional decomposition in this model.

Historical Background

Historically IT systems are built in a competitive environment where each vendor is trying to develop best possible solutions to their customers and, at the same time, trying to build even more complex systems in attempt to serve any customer need and prevent customers looking for solutions from another vendor. Logic of this process led to development of IT systems that either did not have any means for integration with other...