Service Oriented Architecture

These days everybody is using SOA to sell things. It seems to be a marketing term now. Initially it was a technical term to describe apps communicating with SOAP.

Now I am hearing that SOA is being redefined to represent some best practices in software development. It describes using simplistic messaging. It also refers to open and scalable systems. That sounds like good techniques to me.

Like most developers, I was excited to hear about SOA. I recall a VIP from our company addressing huge amounts of developers in my building. When he mentioned SOA, the developers were happy and cheering.

Now unfortunately SOA is being used by everybody. It does not mean much to me any more. I hope this new best practices style of SOA takes over. We shall see.

Microsoft and HTML 5

Previously all browser manufacturers cooperated with changes in HTML 5. That included everyone except Microsoft. This meant that developers had to code two versions of their web site. One would be specific to Internet Explorer. That is no fun.

HTML 5 supports Scalable Vector Graphics support. Some have speculated that Microsoft is concerned that SVG infringes on the Silverlight solution space. Luckily Microsoft is no longer holding out on HTML 5. They joined the SVG working group. Things are looking better for HTML 5.