Extended Web services framework to meet non-functional requirements

Non-functional characteristics are important for any kind of service and Web services is no exception. A realistic Web service must meet both functional and non-functional requirements of its consumers. Therefore it is important that Web services framework is augmented so that non-functional characteristics of a Web service can be determined at run-time and consumers are bound to service that best meet their functional as well as non-functional requirements. This paper proposes an extension to Web services framework that enables collection of functional and non-functional service characteristics at runtime, and usage of the collected data in discovery, binding, and execution of services. Descriptions of new and enhanced components of the proposed framework are presented. Typical publishing and usage scenarios in the proposed framework are shared.