A Review of Experience-Based Knowledge about Web Service Composition

摘要

Context Web Service technology offers a potentially powerful paradigm for creating software 'on demand'. However, to realise that potential, it is necessary to employ effective ways of dynamically composing atomic services to form composite services. Purpose To identify the technologies and strategies currently being explored for organising the composition of Web Services, and to determine how extensively each of these has been demonstrated and assessed. Methodology We undertook a mapping study of empirical papers that had been published over the period 2000 to 2009, using four electronic archival databases. Findings We found 1172 papers that matched our search terms, from which 206 were classified as providing practical demonstration of their ideas. These were then categorised according to the approach used for composition. Conclusions We have identified several approaches to service composition that are currently being investigated. No one approach seems to meet all needs, but a number merit thorough investigation.