ABSTRACT
The increased complexity and variety of infrastructure components, the need to provide software solutions for both internal and external audiences, and today’s integration requirements are primary reasons for software development today being a highly challenging task. Some of the conceptual complexity was introduced when client/server architectures were adopted. However, today’s Web-based, highly distributed systems are often, in practice, even more complex because of the variety of client devices and services that need to be able to communicate with each other. Section 3 addresses the challenges related to provisioning application solutions in modern systems development and deployment environments. An underlying theme is the importance of following well-established software engineering and project management tools, techniques, and methods as relevant. The chapters in this section are organized into four topic areas:
• New Tools and Applications • Systems Development Approaches • Project Management • Software Quality Assurance
NEW TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS
One of the most promising and widely accepted approaches to addressing the complexity in Web-based development is Web services. Chapter 33, “Web Services: Extending Your Web,” provides an introduction to the emerging technologies that enable Web services. A comprehensive example is used to illustrate the benefits an organization can achieve by utilizing Web services either for internal or external purposes. For example, application interfaces can be developed for external users to support revenuegenerating services or to collaborate with business partners. The chapter also provides a brief comparison of .NET and J2EE
as development environments.
