Web services are XML-based application components that communicate using open protocols. These application components are also self-contained and self-describing. The basic Web services platform is XML and HTTP. Perhaps HTTP is more familiar since it is the mostly used internet protocol. XML on the other hands provides a language that can be utilized between different platforms and programming languages. What is cool about a web services platform is that it is quite a simple and interoperable messaging framework. It�s not perfect though, as it still has missing components such as security and routing which are now being worked on.