Service interface description languages such as WSDL, and related standards, are evolving rapidly to provide a foundation for interoperation between Web services. At the same time, Semantic Web service technologies, such as the Ontology Web Language for Services (OWL-S), are developing the means by which services can be given richer semantic specifications. Richer semantics can enable fuller, more flexible automation of service provision and use, and support the construction of more powerful tools and methodologies. Both sets of technologies can benefit from complementary uses and crossfertilization of ideas. This paper shows how to use OWL-S in conjunction with Web service standards, and explains and illustrates the value added by the semantics expressed in OWL-S.
David L. Martin, Massimo Paolucci, Sheila A. McIlr