Chapter 11. Transactions

This chapter covers Web service specifications that deal with transaction processing. In a Web services world, applications are constructed from the interconnection and operation of Web services. To obtain a reliable outcome, the various services that constitute the application must universally agree on an undisputed resolution. Transactions are a well-understood approach used widely in commercial systems that meet this requirement. The Web service specifications WS-Coordination [WS-Coordination], WS-Atomic Transaction [WS-Atomic Transaction], and WS-Business Activity Framework [WS-Business Activity] define the protocols required to build reliable Web service applications.

The WS-Coordination specification provides the generic foundation for coordinating outcome agreements between interoperating Web services. WS-Atomic Transaction and WS-Business Activity specifications contain definitions of atomic and business transaction protocols, respectively, that you can use with WS-Coordination. WS-Coordination is defined as an extensible framework that can support additional protocols for other coordination patterns as required.

Together, these specifications address the more general requirement to guarantee the reliable coordination of operations across Web services.