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Service Component Architecture (SCA) is a set of specifications which describe a model for building applications and systems using a Service-Oriented Architecture. SCA extends and complements prior approaches to implementing services, and SCA builds on open standards such as Web services.

Introduction

The SCA specifications were first published as a 0.9 version in November 2005, including the Assembly Specification, the Client and Implementation Specification for Java and the Client and Implementation Specification for C++.  In July 2006, the specifications all had significant improvements made to them. The improvements increased the generality of the SCA development model, simplified the model, and clarified the semantics.  The collaboration also developed a series of new specifications that describe the general model for bindings and policies; provide details of specific bindings; and describe how additional implementation technologies can be incorporated into an SCA-based service network.

In March 2007, a set of Final V1.0 Specifications were published, together with an indication that OASIS would take over future development and stewardship.

Service Component Architecture (SCA) provides a programming model for building applications and systems based on a Service Oriented Architecture.  It is based on the idea that business function is provided as a series of services, which are assembled together to create solutions that serve a particular business need. These composite applications  can contain both new services created specifically for the application and also business function from existing systems and applications, reused as part of the composition.  SCA provides a model both for the composition of services and for the creation of service components, including the reuse of existing application function within SCA compositions.

SCA is a model that aims to encompass a wide range of technologies for service components and for the access methods which are used to connect them.  For components, this includes not only different programming languages, but also frameworks and environments commonly used with those languages. For access methods, SCA compositions allow for the use of various communication and service access technologies that are in common use, including, for example, Web services, Messaging systems and Remote Procedure Call (RPC).

Please also see our views on The Business Value Proposition of SCA, suitable for a non-technical reader.

Component Parts of SCA

This page contains a short description of each of the current specifications.  There are links to a fuller description of each specification which provide useful introductory information regarding SCA for newcomers to the technology.

Service Component Architecture Specifications

The Service Component Architecture Specifications are available for browsing, download and feedback to the Collaboration. In this area, as well as our current published specifications, you may find both previously published levels plus some draft specifications for some of our work in progress.

SCA Resources

There is a variety of material, including a set of discussion white papers, presentations and positioning information available on the SCA Resources page. We attempt to keep the material both technical and vendor-neutral in nature. Please revisit this area frequently as we plan to continually update the collateral.

Formal Standardization of SCA

In April 2007, OASIS announced the formation of a new Member Section - the OASIS Open CSA Member Section - to further develop the specifications published by the OSOA Collaboration. This page describes how the OSOA Collaboration will continue to incubate new technology, whilst handing ownership for the formal Standardization process to OASIS.

In July 2007, OASIS issued a Call for Participation in six Technical Committees designed to evolve and put a formal standards stamp upon SCA. In September 2007, each of the Technical Committees started work on the formal standardization of SCA. Further information on these Technical Committees can be found here.

Home Page for SCA on the OASIS Open CSA Member Section site

Continuing SCA work in the OSOA Collaboration

This page outlines the technical incubation work which continues in the OSOA Collaboration.

SCA Partners

A significant set of Industry Partners have worked hard to bring the SCA Specifications to a level of maturity suitable for implementation. In addition a set of OSOA Supporters have given us valued feedback through the development process.

SCA Implementations in the Marketplace

Vendors are now bringing Products to market supporting the SCA Specifications. There is also Open Source Implementations of SDO and SCA. We encourage you to visit the related web sites for details on the implementations.