Java API for XML Web Services

What does Java API for XML Web Services mean?

Java API for XML Web Services (JAX-WS) is the Java standard application program interface (API) for XML Web services. It is used to develop Web services and is a part of the Sun Java development kit (JDK). JAX-WS technology is used with other technologies, either from the core group or more enhanced Web services.

JAX-WS was designed to replace the existing JAX-RPC (remote procedure call). The name was changed to JAX-WS from JAX-RPC to reflect the shift from RPC-style to document-style Web services.

This term is also known as core Web services (a name given by Sun Microsystems) and JAX-WS RI.

Techopedia explains Java API for XML Web Services

JAX-WS consists of a standardized set of extensions for Java, which enable the development of Java-based Web services through WSDL. Just like JAX-RPC, JAX-WS also uses SOAP to represent a RPC. SOAP includes specifications, encoding rules, important structures, corresponding responses and necessary conventions to do RPCs over the network.

JAX-WS makes use of annotations to keep the development and deployment of Web service clients and endpoints simple. It is also known as JAX-WS RI, which means JAX-WS for reference implementation, and is now a part of metro distribution. The reference implementation of JAX-WS is designed as an open-source project, which is a part of GlassFish -- an open-source Java application server.