Message Exchange Patterns

Message Exchange Patterns (MEPs) define how communication occurs between parties in a messaging system. They specify who sends messages, who receives them, and the sequence of exchanges. For example, one pattern might involve a requester sending a message and expecting a response, like ordering and receiving a confirmation. Another might involve ongoing conversations where both sides send and receive messages multiple times. MEPs help structure interactions to ensure clarity, reliability, and efficiency in communication, especially in systems like web services or enterprise applications. They provide a blueprint for how messages are exchanged to meet different business or technical needs.