Native Web Services in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 introduces the concept of Native Web Services (also called HTTP Endpoints) which allows you to expose stored procedures and scalar functions through a web service that applications like Visual Studio can consume. If you have worked with SQLXML before, then the functionality is similar, but the feature sets are different. SQLXML is still present in SQL Server 2005, but it still requires the usage of IIS and a separate configuration step. HTTP Endpoints on the other hand are a native feature of SQL Server 2005 and uses the new HTTP.SYS listener model to directly listen for HTTP requests. This obliviates the need for having IIS to be present, but also presents some challenges and best practices knowledge on when and how to use this feature.
Just finished writing an article on the HTTP Endpoint features at my web site. You can read it here: SQL Server 2005 Native Web Services (HTTP Endpoints). Do pass on your comments to me at: srisamp@gmail.com.