 - BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) for Web services is an XML-based
language designed to enable task-sharing for a distributed
computing or grid computing environment - even across
multiple organizations - using a combination of Web services.
Written by developers from BEA Systems, IBM, and Microsoft, BPEL combines
and replaces IBM's WebServices Flow Language (WSFL) and Microsoft's XLANG
specification. (BPEL is also sometimes identified as BPELWS or BPEL4WS.)
Using BPEL, a programmer formally describes a business process that will
take place across the Web in such a way that any cooperating
entity can perform one or more steps in the process the same way. In a
supply chain process, for example, a BPEL program might describe a business
protocol that formalizes what pieces of information a product order
consists of, and what exceptions may have to be
handled. The BPEL program would not, however, specify how a given Web
service should process a given order internally.
 | Getting started with BPEL |
| To explore how the BPEL is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources: | | BPEL Learning Guide: This SearchSOA.com learning guide introduces you to Business Process Execution Language for Web services, or BPEL4WS. In this BPEL learning guide, you'll find articles, tips, expert advice, white papers and more that will explain how BPEL fits into the world of SOA and Web services. |
| Service contracts for BPEL 2.0: The BPEL orchestration standard allows for contract-first Web services design inside an SOA. This tip identifies best practices for using BPEL and WSDL for service contracts. |
| Las Vegas bets on BPEL: BPEL-based applications are being used by the City of Las Vegas to reduce the bureaucratic paper work at its water treatment facility. |
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Learn more about BPEL |
| BPEL vs. workflow foundation: What is the difference between BPEL and Workflow Foundation? Can you use BPEL for building a composite Web service? |
| Online real estate SOA moves into BPEL: At Move Inc., BPEL is being used in the integration of legacy systems and new CRM and ERP products as the first step in an incremental "pragmatic SOA" implementation. |
| BPEL4People and WS-HumanTask get reference implementation: Although BPEL4People and WS-HT aren't fully ratified standards, Active EndPoints Inc. is incorporating them into its new tools for BPM and SOA design and development. |
| Service contracts for BPEL 2.0: The BPEL orchestration standard allows for contract-first Web services design inside an SOA. This tip identifies best practices for using BPEL and WSDL for service contracts. |
| Oracle SOA Suite Developer's Guide by Matt Wright: Author Matt Wright gives a detailed walk-through on how to create a BPEL service in Oracle SOA Suite Developer's Guide. Read the free excerpt here. |
| BPEL tutorial: Find enterprise application definitions, tips on Workflow managment, and first-hand stories from successful BPEL application integration in this BPEL Tutorial. |
| Free BPEL advice: Got a question on Web services orchestration or the BPEL language? Our resident expert, Doron Sherman of Collaxa, can help. Read his past responses and learn more about BPEL here. |
| Omnipresent SOA: SOA promises to transform business, turning IT from a cost center into a profit center. It is a lot of work in driving the principles of SOA into every corner of your architecture. |
| Windows Workflow Foundation for Web services: In this tip, Daniel Rubio discusses Windows Workflow Foundation and how it can move beyond and enhance BPEL in service-oriented designs. |
| LAST UPDATED: |
21 Jul 2008
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