What are WCF features and what communication problems it solves?

WCF provides strong support for interoperable communication through SOAP. This includes support for several specifications, including WS-Security, WS-ReliableMessaging, and WS-AtomicTransaction. WCF doesn't itself require SOAP, so other approaches can also be used, including optimized binary protocol and queued messaging using MSMQ.

WCF also takes an explicit service-oriented approach to communication, and loosens some of the tight couplings that can exist in distributed object systems, making interaction less error-prone and easier to change.

Thus, WCF addresses a range of communication problems for applications. Three of its most important aspects that clearly stand out are:

• Unification of Microsoft’s communication technologies.
• Support for cross-vendor interoperability, including reliability, security, and transactions.
• Rich support for service orientation development.