from Current Cites:
Breeding, Marshall. Web Services and the Service-Oriented Architecture Chicago, IL: ALA TechSource, 2006. – The advent of XML and protocols such as the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) which uses it are transforming the way our computer systems work. Rather than being self-contained “silo” systems, our computer applications increasingly interact with other applications. This “service-oriented architecture” offers new opportunities to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Breeding’s LTR on the topic thus comes at good time, when we all should know more about Web Services and what it has to offer our organizations. Thankfully, ALA nabbed someone with impeccable credentials and the ability to explain complex topics simply and clearly. Breeding uses the well-known Amazon and Google Web services as examples, even including code listings (a minor quibble is that the code should be downloadable from somewhere, for those that want to try this out). At the end of this 49-page publication is a summary of library automation vendor support for Web services within their applications. From this survey it is clear that Web services is not in your future — it is here now. If you feel behind it is because you are, and this fine LTR is just what the doctored ordered as your cure. – RT
