RE: Nailing down the definition of "Web services" and the scope o f WS A for the document

> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Crupi [mailto:John.Crupi@Sun.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 10:05 PM
> To: Champion, Mike
> Cc: www-ws-arch@w3.org
> Subject: Re: Nailing down the definition of "Web services" 
> and the scope
> of WS A for the document
> 

> 1. "A Web service is an interface to an executable software agent..."
>     >> I think the 'software agent' concept will confuse many.

Well, this term is used in the TAG "Architecture of the World Wide Web"
document with which we should aligned.  I guess it does need explanation,
however.

> 
> 2. "A Web service is an interface to an executable software agent..."
>     >> Are we saying a web service is not a service, but is an 
> interface. Isn't a web service a service with an exposed interface?

I addressed this in a reply to Walden M.

> 
> 3. "...designed to be used by another software agent."
>     >>Why not say 'client' instead of agent and give examples of a 
> client. Or maybe the fact that the interface is exposed 
> implies that is  can be used by others.

I had meant to put the term "client" in and forgot to. A suggestion well
worth considering by the editors!  

> 
> 4. Also, why have a "web service" and an "XML web service" 
> definition. 
> What is wrong with taking the XML web service definition and 
> making it  the "WSA-compliant Web service" definition.

I think that's another wide-open issue.  It would be good to hear other
opinions on what to call the scope of the WSA, I for one could live with
either "WSA-compliant" or "XML".