RE: [soa-rm] Definition(s) of "service"

["Metz Rebekah" <metz_rebekah@bah.com>]

Quoting from an esteemed colleague:

"In simple terms, the definition of service is "the performance of a
function by one for another."  So "service" does not equal "function".
Shoe shining is a function. I can offer to shine shoes.  Until I shine
someone's shoes, I have not provided a service. 

This distinction makes sense when one considers the nature of a
contract.  An offer is the first element of a contract, with acceptance
and consideration being the others....[Consider that] two providers may
offer to perform the same function, but their offers are separate and
distinct."

The more we work through these definitions; the importance of precision
becomes more apparent...

So, in a roundabout sort of way, I believe that I'm agreeing with Matt
about "...carries out".

Rebekah

Rebekah Metz
Associate
Booz Allen Hamilton
Voice:  (703) 377-1471
Fax:     (703) 902-3457


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Matthew MacKenzie [mailto:mattm@adobe.com]
> Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 8:11 AM
> To: Chiusano Joseph
> Cc: soa-rm@lists.oasis-open.org
> Subject: Re: [soa-rm] Definition(s) of "service"
> 
> Chiusano Joseph wrote:
> 
> >Rather than think of a service as a boundary to something, can it
also
> >be thought of as an entity that encapsulates (or "carries out") a set
of
> >behaviors?
> >
> >
> I'm with "...carries out a set of behaviours."
> 
> -matt