what is the benefit of using web service.......

[kashok]

Hi all,

What is the use of using our own web service in asp.net instead of using ordinary class files for defining functions.. what is the benefit of using web service.......


Thnk u!

[Pittaman]

First of all, webservices are functions offered by a server to a client application. This means that all the functionality of the webservice is centralised. Which makes it easier to maintain as an update of that server-side software doesn't always require a software roll-out at the client-side.

Secondly, the webservices use the SOAP protocol for communications. This basically means the client application sends XML files (SOAP request) which make up a request, and the webservice replies with another XML (a SOAP response). This means the client software doesn't HAVE to be a .NET application. This is not really an advantage if the only client will be a .NET application, but never be to sure that nothing else will ever use your webservice. So webservices are (somewhat) platform independent, quite in contrast to a managed dll...

Also, using webservices can create a "thinner" client application, as some logic and technology (imagine connecting to an oracle database) can be centralised at the webserver, relieving clients a bit.

They CAN mean a performance decrease though if you ask me. But they have many more advantages than disadvantages imho.