This book is a comprehensive guide that walks the reader through developing and consuming XML Web Services using the .NET platform and ASP.NET. It begins with an overview of the .NET framework and an explanation of the process behind XML Web Services, and then quickly delves into building and consuming Web Services. Included will be discussions of proxies, classes, SOAP, Global XML Web Services Architecture, WSDL, UDDI, and Disco. The book will also cover the important issue of security and how to apply encryption and signing. This book is the reader's guide to advanced XML Web Services such as error and exception handling, configuration, and optimization.