Systems and methods for web service function, definition, implementation, and/or execution

Abstract

Systems and methods for defining, implementing, deploying and/or executing Web services. A Web service is defined using a graphical interface that allows the application developer to specify the operation of the Web service through inclusion and configuration of graphical nodes representing particular operations and/or functions. The Web service definition can, in some instances, include standard functions and/or previously defined Web services. The environment for definition typically includes a user input device, a graphical display device, a system data store and a system processor. The system processor is in communication with the other elements. The user defines the Web service using an interface provided via the graphical display device. The user interacts with the interface using the user input device. The system processor receives the information from the user input device and updates the provided interface on the graphical display device accordingly. The graphical definition of the Web services is stored at least ephemerally in the system data store, but may, in some instances, be saved to the system data store. Once defined, the graphical definition is converted into a programmatic implementation executable by a Web services server. This programmatic implementation can then be transmitted to an appropriate Web services server accessible by an intended user community.

1 . A system to facilitate the definition of web services, the system comprising:
 a) a modeler which is operable to interface with a user to enable the user to generate an execution flow via a graphical interface for building one or more flow rules to build composite or single use web services; and   b) a manager that parses the flow rules to generate a programmatic implementation of the web services.   
   
   
       2 . A method for graphically defining a web service, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an interface with the graphical display device via which the user can graphically define a web service using the user input device;   b) displaying on the graphical display device a graphical representation of at least a portion of a web service definition; and   c) storing in the system data store a digital representation of a graphically defined web service.