The .NET Framework is the managed code programming model for Microsoft Windows. Developers use the .NET Framework to build services and applications for Windows clients, Windows Servers or Windows-powered devices; or to build interconnections between disparate components in a service-oriented architecture. By enabling developers to create custom applications that integrate among services deployed across a distributed, heterogeneous network, the .NET Framework plays a critical role in helping businesses to realize the business agility and flexibility benefits of SOA.
Learn more about the .NET Framework.
Support for building applications that expose or consume service interfaces has been built in to the .NET Framework since its introduction in 2002. Today, new advances are included in the .NET Framework to enable even greater power and flexibility for developers working on systems that follow SOA principles. The programming interfaces provided by the .NET Framework include libraries that support SOA in many areas. These are some highlights:
Focus area:
Enables developers to:
Communication
interconnect disparate pieces in a heterogeneous network, over standard communications protocols including WS-*, HTTP and TCP.
Workflow
graphically describe and manage the execution of coordinated interactions among services.
Presentation
deliver stunning visual experiences for end-user applications that connect into the SOA-based system, whether they are smart clients, browser applications, voice-enabled systems or applications running on mobile or embedded devices.
Identity and Security
implement access control or encryption to protect key information assets.
Web
exploit lightweight Web protocols for intercommunication with a broad set of services and endpoints.
XML
produce, consume and manipulate XML documents, for maximum data interoperability.
Companies and organizations today fashion their information solutions from multiple distinct systems or building blocks. These building blocks might be off-the-shelf pieces such as a Web-based information portal, a business process management system or an information worker's desktop. The building blocks might also include custom systems built in various languages and running on disparate hardware and operating system platforms, or packaged applications provided by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). To exploit the benefits of SOA, companies need to interconnect between the disparate systems, regardless of the technology underlying the system. Acting as the foundation of the Microsoft Application Platform, the .NET Framework provides the capability to interconnect these systems. Here are just a few examples:
To integrate this building block:
Developers using the .NET Framework can:
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
write extensions to the Web portal using the .NET Framework; or programmatically connect to the portal from applications build on the .NET Framework.
Office applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook
extend the Office application to programmatically connect to remote services in the network, or programmatically generate Office documents that can later be consumed, viewed or edited on a person's workstation.
Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006
write services than can be orchestrated within a business process managed by BizTalk Server.
Packaged 3rd-party applications
connect to back-end systems via supported communications protocols to enable integration of these systems into new user experiences.
Legacy systems
wrap mainframe-based transaction systems in a services façade to economically extend these systems into a modern SOA deployment.
Web syndication feeds
programmatically generate or consume and process RSS or ATOM information feeds.
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