The Definitive Definition of SOA

Let's stop wasting time trying to come up with clever definitions of service-oriented architecture and get down to the business of using it.

Thu, September 18, 2008CIO One thing I've noticed since I started writing about SOA is that SOA pundits seem to be obsessed with the definition of SOA. Some people feel think business processes have to be part of the definition. Some people focus on interaction vs. integration. Some object to referring to SOA as equivalent to Web services or WOA, others believe that WOA is not only coupled with SOA, WOA is the future of SOA. One person who shall rename nameless believes that, while WOA and SOA may be different, SOA standards should spring from WOA. Still others think business agility is what defines SOA. Yet others link SOA with governance as the critical differentiator. I could go on ad nauseum.

Forget all that. I have what might be the world's simplest definition of SOA, and my definition has the distinction of being able to shed light on why SOA is becoming popular now, as opposed to decades ago when companies like IBM were trying to get it off the ground under different names.

SOA is a networked subroutine.

Anything you add to that definition is unnecessary window dressing. In most cases, the subroutine will perform business functions, but why can't you build a scientific function as a process, too? Of course you can, and it would still be SOA. You may end up using Web services as part of your implementation, but it's still SOA, isn't it? In most cases, SOA should contribute to business agility, otherwise you probably shouldn't concern yourself with it. But the benefits of using SOA do not define SOA. Failures at reaping benefits from SOA are still based on SOA, aren't they?

Why SOA Now?

Here's why the definition may help you understand why SOA is growing. How many of you have ever written a program? At some point, you realize that you've coded basically the same process two or more times in the same application, and it seems like a waste of effort. So you yank the code out and make it a bit more generic, and then call that code as a subroutine. Now you can reference that subroutine whenever you need it without having to rewrite it again and again.

I chose the term "subroutine" because it's about as BASIC as you can get, pun intended. As the art of programming got more sophisticated, so did the terms. Subroutines became procedures. Then programmers discovered object-oriented programming, which grouped procedures according to data and calls the combination objects with methods. Next came networked objects in the form of DCOM, CORBA, DCOP, or what have you. Then the age of the Internet dawned, and web services were born. Due to the nature of the web, this was a bit of a technological step backward, but the fact that you could access services over the Internet was a major step forward.


Loading...
Applications MarketSpace
Practical Approaches for Securing Web Applications
Enterprises understand the importance of securing web applications to protect critical corporate and customer data. What many don't understand, is how to implement a robust process for integrating security and risk management throughout the web application software development lifecycle. Learn more »
An Executive's Guide to Web Application Security
Since so many Web sites contain vulnerabilities, hackers can leverage a relatively simple exploit to gain access to a wealth of sensitive information, such as credit card data, social security numbers and health records. It's more important than ever to examine your Web application security, assess your vulnerability and take action to protect your business. Learn more »
Web Application Vulnerabilities
Security managers may work for midsize or large organizations; they may operate from anywhere on the globe. But inevitably, they share a common goal: to better manage the risks associated with their business infrastructure. Increasingly, Web application security plays a significant role in achieving that goal. Learn more »
Using ERP To Gain Competitive Advantage in a Tough Economy
For midsize enterprises, now is the perfect time to invest in a significant IT expansion - despite the economic climate. Learn more »
Why BI is Ripe For Businesses of Any Size
Oracle's range of offerings to mid-size and emerging companies reflects its vision that BI and EPM solutions can be embraced by companies of all sizes. Learn more »
Oracle Accelerate
Ovum has been following Oracle's Accelerate program over the last couple of years because they thought it is a smart strategy for penetrating the upper mid-market. Learn more »
The New Age of ERP
Not only can small and mid-sized companies reap the renowned ERP benefits of greater agility, increased business visibility and measurable ROI. Learn more »
 
SPONSORED LINKS
 

CRM Built for IT: The Executive Guide to Selecting CRM that Meets IT Needs

ROI of Application Delivery Controllers

White Paper: 4 Customer Service Myths

White Paper: Improve Agility with Operational Responsiveness

Removing the Barriers to IT Governance: How On-Demand Software Changes the Game

Cloud Computing--Latest Buzzword or a Glimpse of the Future?

A Balanced Approach to an Application Development Platform

Adobe® LiveCycle®solutions for intuitive user experience

10 Ways Excel Drives More Value from Your SAP Investment

What's New in SOA Suite 11g?

Unleash the Power of Java with Oracle JRockit Real Time

SOA Best Practices and Design Patterns

Application Grid: Ideal Platform for IT Consolidation

Ready to virtualize tier one applications? Check your virtualization maturity.

Learn how to provide complete Business Service Management.

Increase ROI of Your Application Portfolio

Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back. Get the facts.

VMware. The source for Business Infrastructure Virtualization.

ShoreTel tells businesses to untangle from competitors' complexity and turn to its brilliantly simple UC solution

See how AT&T can help protect your network.

Streamline IT Costs. Boost Performance with WAN Optimization.

Build your 1st app FREE with Force.com

TDWI checklist helps define data readiness for analytics. Download report.

eZine: A Roadmap to Reducing IT Complexity

Reduce risk, gain agility. See how Progress can help your business.

What's Next for Enterprise Resource Planning?

Gartner Magic Quadrant, Application Delivery Controllers 2009

White Paper: Managed Security for a Not-So-Secure World

SharePoint - Unchecked growth of content is unsustainable.

Focus Under Pressure: Why IT Governance Becomes Mission-Critical in a Down Economy

Should Your Email Live In The Cloud? A Comparative Cost Analysis

Adobe® LiveCycle® solutions for business process automation

Architecting Business Intelligence Applications for Change: The Open Solution

Increase UPS efficiency without sacrificing protection.

Unlocking the Mainframe: Modernizing Legacy System to SOA

State of the Data Integration Market

Enhance Customer Loyalty through Higher Responsiveness

Achieving Business Agility with Application Grid

Seven Ways ITIL Can Help You in an Economic Downturn

Four steps to populate your CMDB.

"Enterprise-Proven" is the Prerequisite for Enterprise SaaS Portal Solutions

AT&T Synaptic Storage as a Service. Expand on demand

Trend Micro ranked #1 against real-world malware. Read more.

Webinar: Jump-start your in-house e-discovery with Ringtail QuickCull from FTI Technology

Top Five CIO Challenges

Read the RSA report: Security for Business Innovation

64-page prescriptive guide to security, compliance, and IT operations.

A Clear View Toward Virtualization

Virtualization Technology as a Business Solution

The rules of infrastructure management just changed.

 
 
RESOURCE CENTER