It is a component that allows publishing of the application’s function on the web to make it accessible to the public. It resides on a Web server and provides information and services using standard Web protocols such as HTTP and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).

A .NET web service is a software component designed to facilitate communication and interoperability between different applications over a network, typically the internet. It follows the principles of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and is built using the .NET framework.

Key points about .NET web services include:

Interoperability: .NET web services allow applications developed on different platforms and using different programming languages to communicate with each other seamlessly.
Standard Protocols: They typically use standard protocols such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for communication, ensuring compatibility across diverse systems.
Exposed Methods: A .NET web service exposes a set of methods or functions that can be invoked remotely by client applications. These methods are typically described using Web Service Description Language (WSDL).
Platform Independence: .NET web services can be hosted on various platforms including Windows, Linux, and cloud environments, making them highly flexible and scalable.
Security: They support various security mechanisms such as HTTPS, message encryption, and authentication to ensure data integrity and confidentiality during communication.
Versatility: .NET web services can be used for a wide range of purposes including integrating disparate systems, exposing functionality to external clients, and building distributed applications.

In summary, a .NET web service acts as a middleware component that enables seamless communication and integration between different applications and systems over a network.