SOA and cloud computing are similar in their reliance on a service-oriented approach, loose coupling,
and reusability of services. Both are dependent on a network and use a contract-based system between
service producers and consumers. Cloud computing is essentially a way to deliver these services on-
demand over the internet, making it a natural extension or implementation of SOA principles.
Similarities between SOA and cloud computing
Service-oriented approach: Both are based on the concept of delivering functionality as
reusable services that can be combined to build applications.
Loose coupling: Both architectures emphasize decoupling services, so that they have minimal
dependency on each other, which provides flexibility and simplifies integration.
Reusability: A core principle of both is the reuse of services across multiple applications and
consumers, leading to greater efficiency and faster development.
Network dependency: Both SOA and cloud computing require a reliable network to function. In
SOA, it's for communication between services, while in cloud computing, it's for accessing
services over the internet.
Contract-based communication: Both use contracts to define the interaction between service
consumers and producers. In cloud computing, this is the agreement between the cloud
provider and the consumer. In SOA, it's the agreement between the service producer and
consumer.
On-demand availability: Cloud services are delivered on-demand, and SOA also provides this by
making system-to-system services available as needed, as described on arsalankhan.com.
Hybrid solutions: SOA and cloud computing can work together in hybrid environments. An
application can use on-premises and cloud-based services interchangeably, communicating via
standardized protocols