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User Guide
The information contained in this section applies to IBM WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.9 and Feautre Pack 8. The documentation also applies to all subsequent releases and modifications until otherwise indicated in new editions.
Developing
The topics in the Developing section describe tasks performed by an application developer.
Web services and WebSphere Commerce
A web service is an interface that describes a collection of operations that are accessible through the network by using standardized XML messaging.
WebSphere Commerce Web services with JSP pages
A Web service is an interface that describes a collection of operations that are accessible through the network by using standardized XML messaging. A Web service is described using a standard, formal XML notation, called a service description. The service description includes all the details necessary to interact with the service, including its message formats (that detail the operations), transport protocols, and location. The interface hides the implementation details of the service, allowing it to be used independently of the hardware or software platform on which it is implemented and also independently of the programming language in which it is written. The foundation for Web services are standards such as simple object access protocol (SOAP), the Web Services Description Language (WSDL), and the Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI) registry.
Understanding the WebSphere Commerce Web service framework
The goals of the WebSphere Commerce Web service framework are:
WebSphere Commerce as a service provider
When you enable business operations in WebSphere Commerce as Web services that can be accessed by external systems, WebSphere Commerce becomes the service provider.
Inbound web services provided
WebSphere Commerce includes code and documentation for you to enable WebSphere Commerce business operations as web services. You can allow WebSphere Commerce to be the service provider by enabling its business functions as web services that can be accessed by external systems. The following web services are provided by WebSphere Commerce.

Inbound web services provided

WebSphere Commerce includes code and documentation for you to enable WebSphere Commerce business operations as web services. You can allow WebSphere Commerce to be the service provider by enabling its business functions as web services that can be accessed by external systems. The following web services are provided by WebSphere Commerce.

Note: The following web services are an older style of web service that uses JSP pages to compose responses. You can use these web services for your site, however you are recommended to use the newer SOI web services that are available with WebSphere Commerce. For more information about the available SOI component-based web services, see WebSphere Commerce web services.