What is a service-oriented architecture (SOA)?

A service-oriented architecture (SOA) is fundamentally a design pattern that emphasizes the use of services as the primary building blocks for software development. In this architecture, distinct services are created to perform specific functions and can communicate with one another through well-defined protocols over a network. This approach promotes reuse, flexibility, and scalability, allowing different components of a system to interact and share data easily, regardless of their underlying platforms or languages.

Unlike a design focused solely on user interfaces, which might prioritize aesthetics and user experience, SOA addresses the entire ecosystem of interacting software components. It is also not merely about integrating multiple databases or focusing on data storage optimization; rather, it provides a holistic approach to building systems that can efficiently interact through services. The strength of SOA lies in its ability to allow systems to be more adaptable to change and new requirements, facilitating easier maintenance and evolution of applications over time.