summary of service definition suggestions

All,

I suggest you all reread the threads (see http://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/soa-rm/email/archives/201004/msg00026.html and http://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/soa-rm/email/archives/201004/msg00061.html for beginning of threads). They show an order of magnitude more insight than the best of other discussions.

In an attempt to provide a starting point for the RM meeting discussion, I provide the following as a capture: a summary definition that tries to capture previous points and suggested changes beyond that.

A service (in the context of SOA) is a capability that exposes a business function in the context of the following constraints:

- The service is offered and packaged by a provider and made accessible to consumers

- access is provided using a prescribed interface that abstracts (or hides) the implementation details of the capability or function, and

- the service is exercised consistent with the contracts and policies as specified by its description.

In general, the specifics of the business function should be known independent of the service that exposes it.

specific suggested changes:

1. “access is provided using a prescribed interface, and” and drop “that abstracts (or hides) the implementation details of the capability or function”

2. A service (in the context of SOA) is a capability that **is exposed as a** business function in the context of the following constraints… rather than **exposes**

3. “A service (in the context of SOA) is a business-aligned capability …” or more specifically, “A service (in the context of SOA) is a business-aligned IT capability …”

4. Additionally: “A capability is the ability to perform a function or set of functions based on expertise and capacity.”

</ startingPoint >

I did not try to capture discussions that did not offer specific wording. This is meant without prejudice to those discussions, but I found no way to do those justice. Also, while those discussions bring up important points for additional expansions, I do not think they materially affect the summary.

Feel free to augment my capture.

I look forward to reaching consensus.

Ken

P.S. We will also need to decide what to do with the result. At one point I raised the possibility “I suggest we write it up as a white paper that is endorsed by the TC, have it announced as appropriate by OASIS, and ask the TC members to include appropriate discussion of this in their blogs.” Other suggestions are welcome, including a new version of the RM. Give the possibilities some thought.

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Dr. Kenneth Laskey

MITRE Corporation, M/S H305 phone: 703-983-7934

7515 Colshire Drive fax: 703-983-1379

McLean VA 22102-7508

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