Jan Algermissen wrote: > On Jul 5, 2006, at 11:09 AM, Steve Jones wrote: > >> Which was the bit I'm trying to get across in saying that SOAP v REST >> is a pointless debate. The consumer of the service cares only about >> what happens, not about the mechanism to achieve it. I'm not arguing >> that REST is wrong and should never be used, just that its not >> actually important enough to argue over the bit in between. > > Are you saying that software architectural differences are pointless? >
In the context of engineering and the purity of such discussions, no they aren't pointless. I'm not entirely sure cos most of my discussions with Steve are accompanied by beer but I suspect he might be viewing this from the context of tangible business benefit. Tangible business benefit comes in two basic forms: (1) Internal - cost reduction etc (2) External - Benefit to customers - increased functionality, more rapid response to requirements Category (2) is something customers will pay for, (1) is not and tends to be about the law of diminishing returns. Measurement of (2) is done via looking at the bottom line. Measurement of (1) is that much more difficult to quantify - maybe you're paying less for licenses but developer hours have gone up and as you don't pay developers by the hour (they're a fixed cost) you could consider that a cost saving but unfortunately, your developers are more tired so the stuff they turn out is of lower quality and slows down delivery cycles which costs your bottom line. So in the context of gaining tangible business benefit, REST vs SOAP is nowhere and therefore "pointless". You might be able to make some claim in respect of category (1) but it's going to be difficult to prove and I've seen very little of how REST vs SOAP means anything in respect of category (2). IT pushing SOA at the tech level (it's about service interfaces etc) as the next "silver bullet" is also running into this sort of issue hence some are focused on "business alignment with IT" which has nothing to do with technology per se. Anywhere near Steve? Dan. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Something is new at Yahoo! Groups. Check out the enhanced email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/SISQkA/gOaOAA/yQLSAA/NhFolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/service-orientated-architecture/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
