Version 1.2 of the SOAP specification, a foundational technology for Web services, was released by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) on Tuesday, with vendors pledging support in products.
The revised specification, used for exchanging structured information in distributed Web services environments, features improvements such as better error handling and internationalization, an upgraded processing model, and alignment with the W3C Web architecture.
"I think we did a better job [with Version 1.2] of defining the underpinnings of what is the SOAP model," said David Fallside, chairman of the W3C XML Protocol Working Group, which devised SOAP 1.2. Fallside also is a senior technical staff member at IBM, in San Jose, Calif.
Version 1.2 consists of a Messaging Framework, featuring a processing model, or rules for processing a SOAP message. The processing model removes ambiguities found in SOAP 1.1. Also featured is Adjuncts, for representing remote procedure calls, for encoding SOAP messages and describing SOAP features and bindings. Adjuncts also provide a standard binding of SOAP to HTTP, enabling SOAP messages to be exchanged using the mechanisms of the Web.
Other components of Version 1.2 include Specification Assertions and Test Collection, providing a set of tests drawn from assertions in the Messaging Framework and Adjuncts. The tests show whether the assertions are implemented in a SOAP processor and are designed to foster interoperability between different implementations of the SOAP 1.2 specification, according to W3C.
Major vendors, including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems, are backing the specification.
"As a major contributor to the XML Protocol Working Group, Oracle is pleased to endorse the W3C SOAP 1.2 Recommendation," said Don Deutsch, vice president of standards strategy and architecture, at Oracle, in a prepared statement. "This standard represents a significant step toward industrywide interoperability of Web services and further demonstrates the importance of the W3C's open, consensus-driven process and rigorous public review."
Oracle plans to support SOAP 1.2 in its Oracle9i database as well as in its application server, JDeveloper development environment, and E-Business Suite of applications.
Sun plans to implement the specification in the Java platform and Sun ONE products. Microsoft expressed intentions to continue supporting Version 1.2, including in next versions of the .Net Framework and Visual Studio development system. IBM said it would incorporate Version 1.2 into its products, also.
The working group tracked implementations of SOAP 1.2 from seven W3C member organizations.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Architecture Resource Alerts
Recommend This
