What Is a Flow Service?
A flow service is a service that is written in the webMethods flow language. You can use a flow service to encapsulate a sequence of services within a single service and manage the flow of data among them. For example, you might create a flow service that takes a purchase order from a buyer and executes the following series of services before submitting it to an internal ordering system:
1. Gets a purchase order submitted by a buyer
2. Logs the order in an audit-trail file
3. Performs a credit check
4. Posts the order to the ordering system
Figure 33. Flow services encapsulate other services
Any service can be invoked within a flow (including other flow services). For instance, a flow might invoke a service that you create, any of the built-in services provided with the Integration Server, and/or services from a webMethods add-on product such as the webMethods Adapter for JDBC.
You create flow services using Designer. They are saved in XML files on Integration Server.
Important:
Flow services are written as XML files in a format that is understood by Designer. Create and maintain flow services using Designer. You cannot create or edit a flow service with a text editor.
