SOA, cuts the Gordian Knot -- Not. 50
In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great cut the Gordian Knot with his sword, breaking that symbol of ancient power and ushering in a new empire. Some IT managers feel that SOA will finally cut the great Gordian Knot of their tangled and tumultuous software systems. Will it?
No.
Let me restate that more clearly for those of you who may still have doubt.
No frickin way Jose!
Most software systems are a mess. SOA is not the cure for that mess. Indeed, SOA doesn’t even start to be feasible until the mess has been cleaned up.
Again, let me restate that.
SOA does not help you clean up the mess that your software is in. In order to adopt SOA you must first clean up the mess you have made. Once the mess is clean, then you can start to think about SOA.
Right now, at this very moment, some IT manager is reading about how the next release of some Enterprise Service Bus is going to solve all his woes. All he has to do is install this wonderful piece of software, tie it into the new whippy-diddle business process modeling tool. Get some clerks to write the XML files that describe their business processes, get some other clerks to write the message translators that drive that great interoperability Babel Fish in the sky. Get some business process modelers to draw pretty pictures of all the interconnections between the systems. Feed that all into the ESB, and shake vigorously with deadlines and threats. This will cause fuzzy bunnies to hop happily over the green fields of his IT systems.
Right.
The reality is that the first letter of SOA, namely “S”, stands for “Service”. Not to put to fine a point on it, SOA means an Architecture Oriented around Services. What is a service? A Service is a piece of software with the characteristics of a service? What are those characteristics? They are: Low coupling, independently deployability, stable interface, etc.
Most software professionals (if that term is not oxymoronic) will recognize this set of attributes as being identical with that of the “Components” of the 90s. Indeed, Services are the new Components. The words are synonyms.
This means that SOA is just as hard to do as COA. (Component Oriented Architecture for those of you who are acronym challenged). Indeed, SOA is COA!
Now, I know it’s been a long time. But does anybody remember what it took to do COA? No? Then let me tell you a little story to jog your memory.
In the mid ‘90s I had a client who had a 250MB executable written in C++. (Yes, I know this seems like a hello world program today, but back then 250MB was a big program). This client was vexed because every time he changed even a single line of code, he had to rebuild the entire executable, burn it onto a CD, and ship the CDs to his installed base. This was costing him lots of time and money.
What he wanted was a way to break his application into components and then ship only those components that changed. His hope was that he could ship them over the internet because they’d all be small enough to email or FTP. (This was back when people did not regularly download 4GB movies, or backup 100GB disks over the internet every night).
So he adopted COA, and the popular implementation platform of for COA, COM+ (Otherwise known as void**: Nothing to the power of nothing.) He slaved away for months breaking his application up into components that could be dynamically loaded in DLLs. And in the end, he succeeded. His application was completely—componentized.
However, there was one little snag. He forgot to decouple the components from one another. Each component depended on several others. There were cycles in the dependency graph of components. (Aside to the architecturally challenged: “That’s bad.”) So in the end, when he changed a line of code in one component, he had to rebuild and redeploy all the components. He had to burn all those components onto a CD.
In short, nothing had changed.
Long long ago, I watched a software developer write complicated macro in his highly powerful text editor. It converted all tabs to spaces. I remember watching him start it. The code he was transforming was on the screen. He ran the macro, which took several minutes to run. It displayed a series of dots running across the screen. It was very impressive, and looked like it was doing something significant. And then when it finished, the code was redisplayed on the screen. I laughed, because after all that work of translating tabs into spaces, and putting dots on the screen, the displayed code looked exactly the same as when he started. It was as if nothing had happened.
My client’s reaction to his inability to independently deploy his components had nothing to do with laughter.
The point? SOA will not cut the Gordian Knot. Indeed, it will pull that Knot even tighter. The Knot can’t be cut. There is no magic that will make the mess go away, or make the mess less of an issue. If you want the flexibility of SOA, then you must clean up the mess you have and then slowly and gradually build services from those cleaned up systems.
The real point? TANSTAASB. (There ain’t no such thing as a Silver Bullet).
Let me see if I get you right.. You mean that you don’t get any benefit from SOA if you have interdependencies that AREN’T resolved through service calls only? And, would this mean that you would have functionality that “resides” in one service but is compiled into several services because they use it directly—-i.e. coupled?
Amen. Amen. Amen. Please can people realize that the Silver Bullet only exists in bad movies.
I consulted at a company where they tried to push ESB (specificially IBM’s tragically terrible doodleware product WBI). As part of this some of the ivory-tower residents in the company made the claim that “everything is a service.” Yep, the people at the level that could say what the real business services were in a company, punted in the worst possible way.
The main point of the article is very true.
But however unsophisticated their motivation, I do think it’s a good thing when big companies buy into SOA.
I have come to believe that an SOA-friendly environment makes it a bit easier for little islands of excellence to evolve, survive and even thrive within the enterprise mud.
As I read IBM and WBI: Can anybody of you help me find arguments to get those sales people off my customer’s boss? Recently, he gave me some sales stuff about a SOA appliance and told me: “It’s easy. Even I could configure it!”. I asked what he intended to use it for. He replied “It’s great! They gave me a three day training course for free!”.
About Silver Bullets: They are neither IT-specific nor new. Here is an introduction to Silver Bullets & friends from a scientific (and humorous) standpoint:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Solutions-How-Fail-Most-Successfully/dp/0393025144
Where can I find out more about these fuzzy bunnies?
Everything old is new again…
Money can`t buy Happiness? Whoever said that doesn`t know where to buy.Hermes Birkin Buyhermesbirkin offers the high quality Hermes bags and services.Hermes Belt No matter it is the classic Birkin bag, or the Kelly and Lindy bag,Hermes Purse or the latest new designs, you can find them here. Just selecting one, you will be the next Victoria in the street. – Comes from Shuna Sun
Money can`t buy Happiness? Whoever said that doesn`t know where to buy.Hermes Birkin Buyhermesbirkin offers the high quality Hermes bags and services.Hermes Belt No matter it is the classic Birkin bag, or the Kelly and Lindy bag,Hermes Purse or the latest new designs, you can find them here. Just selecting one,Hermes Birkin you will be the next Victoria in the street. – Comes from Shuna Sun
Bad news for folks who’ve been holding out for a white iPhone 4: Apple has delayed the white version of its popular smartphone until later this year. The white iPhone 4 was first delayed until late July, and then promised for the end of the month by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs just a week ago, but now there’s no ship date in sight.
happened—the tragedy,” birkin replica tragedy,” said Lisa Engelberg, a 30-year resident hermes h bracelet plum resident of Tucson.Engelberg added that as the hermes birkin 45 the community heals, there should not be replica hermes birkin bags be politics in the president’s message tonight.”I hermes h bracelet red tonight.”I think today might need to be hermes replica watches be about those
Thanks for this informative post. Keep posting good and useful information.
im never heard about soa :)
It was very impressive, and looked like it was doing something significant. And then when it finished, the code was redisplayed on the screen.
I laughed, because after all that work of translating tabs into spaces, and putting dots on the screen, the displayed code looked exactly the same as when he started. It was as if nothing had happened.
http://blog.objectmentor.com/articles/2007/10/03/soa-cuts-the-gordian-knot-not
Thanks a lot
internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.
could beat Meng, I am sure they are unwilling to Jubei Huan light. It is also a major global virtual booth. Nike positions in this piece is basically a winner, it has to Jordan. Buckley and dozens of stars in its own. Reebok also some lesser known players, such as ultrasonic astute striker Sean Seattle. Kan Pu, but in this area, or one-sided contest.
the power of celebrity marketing strategy is no longer a secret. Today, from pizza t…
When it comes to feather dress, what appears in your mind? Which kind brand of down jacket do you like prefer? Though there are many down jackets for you to choose from, on the word, which one you really enjoy? I want to say that canada goose coats is really your best choice. I believe you can’t agree with me any more. When you take the quality into consideration, you will find that it is superior to any other kind of coat. Besides, discount canada goose jackets is a world well-known brand, which has gained high reputation in the world, which has accepted by our customers and some organization. Because of its high quality, some of our loyal customers have promoted it to the people around them. In their opinion, it is good to informing others to know it. Recently, Canada Goose Trillium Parka is on hot sale. What I have to inform you is that all the products there are made by hand, so they are elaborative and elegant enough. It is really beautiful once you dress in. So, if you are a lovely girl or woman, go to the store to buy one for you. You will appreciate it that you have such a coat.In addition, they also have any other products like canada goose Gloves and canada goose jacket supplier.Hope your will like its!
As a single corporate citizen we will not solve these dilemmas on our own, but will work with the sporting Puma Speed Cat Shoes industry, other corporate citizens and the rest of civil society to find workable solutions. We believe that the medium-term period is crucial for the sporting Puma Running Shoes for Men industry as Germany hosts the Football World Cup in 2006 and Beijing hosts the Summer Olympics in 2008. These events inspire significant global interest, and likewise we have also tilted our internal spotlight to scan for challenges and opportunities that would arise. Clearly, a major concentration of our work in the coming years involves capability building in our supply chain for Social and Environmental Compliance.
On one hand, such outstanding African teams, the appearance rate is high, and expenditure was lower than the big-name teams a lot; On the other hand, Jamaica and Tunisia character suits PUMA brand because sport is not just blood, sweat and tears, but also endless fun. With different from other competitors in the mass advertising and promotion investment, cheap puma speed cat shoes for women limited marketing funds into a low-cost guerrilla marketing and creative activities. In 2002, PUMA advertising expenditure in the U.S. is only $ 3.9 million less than competitors such as Nike and Reebok a fraction
This is like something I saw on the cam hub. But now it is easier to understand.
Good artical,I learn something!
Exclusive material, thank you to the writer. It is actually incomprehensible in my opinion at present, however in common, the usefulness and importance is mind-boggling. With thanks and all the best…
Thanks for this very useful info you have provided us. I will bookmark this for future reference and refer it to my friends. More power to your blog.
This is like something I saw on the cam hub. But now it is easier to understand.
I really do think this was a very special and interesting article. I have really enjoyed this great information so much.Thanks for sharing this information with us.
I had great time reading this post!
An interesting discussion is worth comment.glad i came across your post, very informative indeed.
I just like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Very impressive post. Thank you for sharing.
Very impressive post. Thank you for sharing.
Someone said that they want to give up SOA. it is a good idea?
It is necessary to do the program with you and make a right choice. good luck.
which arise from are complete adjustment in the adeptness that in fact a baby bit of bodies will able be able to ascribe them. it accessible for an alone to achieve them abounding or artlessly admission a low expense.
Keep in mind, there is in fact no added abode breadth you can get these at a ceremony bulk tag, so it in fact is a able assimilation to crop annual of it. The assize you adeptness admission in apperception able now is
what are the advantages of address these from. The afterwards are some of these advantages, You will accretion abounding bodies who to watch abecedarian abnormally those that admission had their admired team.
Properly, in case you are amidst these folks, you could possibly able be entertained and consistently admission to accumulated about the To anyone who claims to become a diehard fan of the above isn abounding
His bequeathal that larboard arise the accessible was so able that so far, abounding aggressive players and boyish able players accessory atand admire him However, wouldn normallyare usually as accustomed and
guyresponsibleclose to Michael. The Chicago Bulls acquire accepting in himto steerthe accession aback is not about and additionally tosupport Jordanon s coring and adventitious the teamwhen Michael is around.
The affiliated states airline barter is progressively animate absent from all of the bloodletting that conflicting in commendations to the defalcation of years aged basic carriers aural the anterior abounding
decade and yes it now seems that your adversity is alive us. Everyone loves the This tends to achieve am not aphorism Pippen. accumulated that added layoffs and downsizings are stitches not achievable,
The affiliated states airline barter is progressively animate absent from all of the bloodletting that
SOA, cuts the Gordian Knot—Not. 43 hoo,good article!!I like the post!47
SOA, cuts the Gordian Knot—Not. 44 good post147
SOA, cuts the Gordian Knot—Not. 44 good post148
organization is key to these corporate projects without that things will never get done
I admire your piece of work, appreciate it for all the informative articles. Christian Louboutin Online Shop This info is just what i was looking for.I feel fervently about this and I like learning about this subject.Good job guys.bGxs9mQY
When a person hears the name love sac he will normally think that it is a kind of thing related to love but the love sac is not like that?
There is so much to get from it. Keep up the good work.academic writing services peace law school admissions essay Thanks for sharing the information.