Final answer:
Service-oriented architecture is a type of architecture that focuses on the use of services to perform tasks. Different services communicate with each other to complete specific tasks, and these services are self-contained and can be accessed independently.
Step-by-step explanation:
Service-oriented architecture is a type of architecture that focuses on the use of services to perform tasks. It is a model for designing and developing software systems where different services communicate with each other to complete a specific task. These services are self-contained and can be accessed independently.
For example, consider a banking system that consists of different services such as account management, transaction processing, and customer support. Each service performs a specific task, such as checking account balances or processing deposits. These services communicate with each other using standardized protocols and can be combined to create a complete banking system.
In a service-oriented architecture, services can be developed in different programming languages and can be hosted on different servers. This flexibility allows for scalability and easy integration of new services into the system.