Short summary of web services: Phase 1: Ad hoc, free-for-all chaos. Phase 2: SOAP tries to bring order. It fails mainly because the "S" ("Simple") is a lie.

Short summary of web services: Phase 1: Ad hoc, free-for-all chaos. Phase 2: SOAP tries to bring order. It fails mainly because the "S" ("Simple") is a lie. Phase 3: Pendulum swings hard toward simplicity with HTTP plus JSON plus nothing else, thanks. Phase 4: Things shift possibly more toward the middle (a little structure), but none of the competing systems have become obvious winners.