BPEL---The most popular process standard
BPEL stands for” Business process execution language”. It is an XML-based language used to describe a business process that takes place across the web in a manner whereby any vendors can implement their own style s of models. It is a language for the definition and execution of business processes. Why is it so popular? Because BPEL supports both abstract process and executable process.
Abstract processes are useful for specifying expected protocols and publicly visible behaviours without too much detail. Executable process contains enough detail to fully specify execution.
Is BPEL a programming language? It is really a debate.
Most people think BPEL is definitely a programming language for specifying business processes that involve Web services. BPEL doesn’t try to be a general-purpose programming language. Instead, it is assumed that BPEL will be combined with other languages, which are used to implement business functions. The most famous combination is BPELJ, partnership with JAVA, that allows these two programming languages to be used together to build complete business process applications.
Unlike most people, David Chappell, an IT professional doesn’t think of BPEL as a programming language. He thinks unlike Java and every other mainstream programming language, BPEL is defined using XML. Accordingly, it was designed to be generated by tools, not written directly by developers. Thousands of developers are never going to work directly in a complex XML-based language.
What do people avoid Technology lock-in? Of course is reducing cost. BPEL addresses all these problems by delivering a standards-based, platform-neutral solution. The loosely coupled BPEL process eliminates vendor lock-in, reduces integration costs, Most important, companies can leverage their existing infrastructure, service-enable it, and orchestrate it using BPEL.
BPEL adopt Web services as an external communication mechanism. Web services (Sometimes called application services) are services (usually including some combination of programming and data, but possibly including human resources as well) that are made available from a business's Web server for Web users or other Web-connected programs. Providers of Web services are generally known as application service providers.
Related links:
1. http://searchwebservices.techtarget.com/gDefinition/0,,sid26_gci750567,00.html
2.
http://www.davidchappell.com/blog/2006/05/why-bpel-is-like-bytecode
1 comment:
Elaine, this is a very in-depth writing about BPEL. When I was researching about BPEL, I found that some part is very technical that is very difficult to understand, such as the abstract and executable processes you have mentioned in here. Beside that, I very like your explanation about BEPL is not a programming language. I also think it is not, since it is XML-based, as we all know that XML is a describing language to facilitate data.
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