Day 22. Working with Web Services

Over the past three weeks, you have studied the different technologies supported by WebLogic Server and have learned how to write and deploy applications based on these technologies. WebLogic Server 7.0, as you have learned, supports a host of new technologies either not present or only partially supported in the previous versions. Although your study of WebLogic Server is officially complete, you might find it beneficial to review this quick overview of one of the most exciting technologies supported by WebLogic Server 7.0 Web Services. WebLogic Server 6.1 did support Web Services, but WebLogic Server 7.0 takes this support even further because the different technologies that make up Web Services have now stabilized.

Today, as a bonus to you, you can take this opportunity to learn about Web Services and the support for Web Services provided in WebLogic Server 7.0. Today's lesson will start by explaining what Web Services are all about and describing some important concepts in Web Services. Next it will cover the different technologies that make up Web Services, such as Simple Object Access Protocol; Web Services Description Language; Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration; and eXtended Markup Language. In addition, it will cover the Java API for XML-based RPC, which provides a simpler way to use Web Services. The day will end with a brief look at how to deploy Web Services in WebLogic Server 7.0 and a comparison between J2EE and .NET, the two primary technology groups that support development of Web Services applications.