Are AJAX webservices considered extensions of the web or business layer?

Can web services be effectively categorized as extensions of the presentation/web layer or the biz/data layer?

It may appear to be a simple question. After all, they are called web services, implying they belong to the web tier. However, as I work on developing a standard webform with some AJAX functionality, I find myself contemplating two approaches for building web services:

  1. One option is to have the web services retrieve data for me (an extension of the biz/data layer). For example: GetUserData(userEmail), where the web form's javascript processes the data and updates the markup accordingly.
  2. The other possibility is for the web services to return fully rendered user controls (html; an extension of the web layer). For instance: 
    RenderUserProfileControl(userEmail)
    , with the web form's javascript simply adding the service's html to the form.

Both scenarios could potentially work, but I am curious to hear different perspectives on this matter. What are your thoughts?

asp.netjavascriptajaxweb-services

Answer №1

In my opinion, a web service can be defined by two key characteristics:

  1. Firstly, it should expose data to external sources beyond the application in which it resides. I agree with @Pete on this point – designing a true web service means creating a helper class that responds to requests in a manner akin to a web service. This distinction may seem subtle, but I have found it to be quite valuable in practice.
  2. Secondly, a web service should return data in a format that is easily reusable by a variety of consumers. This addresses the question of why returning web-control-like structures may not be ideal – such structures restrict how the data can be presented by other callers, thereby decreasing the overall utility and reusability of the service. It is imperative that the returned data allows for flexibility in representation to maximize the service’s potential.

However, if your goal is to create a helper class that mimics a web service and will only be used in a specific case, then you have more freedom in your approach. Option #2 could technically work in this scenario. Nevertheless, combining data access and rendering functions within the same class may blur the lines between responsibilities and hinder maintainability. Even if MVC patterns are not a concern, opting for option #2 might make future adaptations more challenging, as any changes in data presentation would require significant refactoring.

Answer №2

In my opinion, option #2 is not the best choice, but I believe that option #1 is a valid one.

Personally, I don't think using web services as a data access layer is the most ideal approach. I believe that the service should provide added value beyond just accessing data (although there may be some exceptions to this).

Answer №3

Even within the first scenario, this service showcases data from the data layer without being integrated into it directly. It simply presents the information in a format other than a traditional UI design, such as JSON or xml.

In terms of preference for scenarios, I would opt for scenario #1 because the service can be easily reused in various web forms and different situations.

Answer №4

While the preferred approach is typically to expose only the necessary data to the view layer and handle all markup there, it's important to consider the role of the web service in your design.

Data should be exposed as a web service (SOAP/WSDL, REST) only if it is meant to be consumed remotely. Over-engineering the request and response format can lead to unnecessary complexity. Choose tools that make sense for your application - an Ajax framework can simplify client/server communication. It's crucial to encapsulate code for retrieving data in a reusable manner, whether through a dedicated service or helper class, and then present this data appropriately for the specific application needs.

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