Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) technology is merging with open-source components. SOA, in brief, "expresses a perspective of software architecture that defines the use of loosely coupled software services to support the requirements of the business processes and software users. Resources on a network in an SOA environment are made available as independent services that can be accessed without knowledge of their underlying platform implementation. A service-oriented architecture is not tied to a specific technology."

Federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission, use SOA technology to more adequately transfer information within their networks. The loosely connected nature of SOA software allows it to be gradually introduced into a system, avoiding a massive overhaul. For any corporation, a singular network overhaul can cause catastrophic delays; but for the government, these delays are simply not an option.

Open Source software refers to programs which permit their source codes to be available to the public, either through licensing or by making it public domain. The availability of source codes allows agents beyond the software developers to make modifications. Open source sanctions collaborative efforts to best enhance existing programs, and to best tailor them to specific needs.

As more companies turn to SOA technology to enhance efficiency and smooth operations, there is a greater need for constant development and adaptation. Rather than depending upon a proprietary standards based upon an individual vendor, open-source software for SOA permits the constant evolution necessary to remain useful. SOA already improves the efficiency of complicated processes, because it requires only superficial understand of the given process. The inclusion of open-source components makes it possible to customize SOA.

Piecemeal SOA
Bringing Open Source to SOA

Labels: Web Technologies