Towards a universal service-computing platform via virtual service machine

Abstract

Service computing is a new paradigm for manufacturing TT artifacts, lifting up traditional focus of software development from the level of applications to that of services. Applications are constructed for machines; services are built for people. Applications are targeted to run on a particular platform; services are aimed for serving user's needs. While service computing is getting much more attention than before, its progress is slow and outcomes are not gratifying. Many service-computing developers are striving to solve the same problems encountered in their counterparts of application development. Middleware is one of few ways to address the issue of development barriers for service-computing applications. However, current forms and functions of middleware software are still impeded and limited by customary mindsets that have been exercised for last couple of decades. We need a new breed of middleware that can relieve the developers of low-level platform concerns, e.g., hardware, OS, or even middleware. Virtual service machine is a novel way toward more effective service-computing development. It provides developers with a service-computing platform to develop their service-computing frameworks and applications. This paper proposes an approach of designing virtual service machines, which can be used as a development platform for service-computing frameworks and applications. A virtual service machine works by taking incoming service requests and converting them to the executable tasks of the underlying middleware or machine the virtual service machine is running on. This paper emphasizes on presenting the functionality and components inside the virtual service machine. The comparative study with other service-computing platforms will not be the focus of this paper. The motivation and high-level presentation of major components in virtual service machine will be provided.