First, we must obtain our work tools so that we get our hands into code. Tools specified here are used around the world, but you are free to choose your tools. Remember, "Tools do not make the artist". It doesn't matter if you use Windows, MAC OS X, or Linux; tools are available for every OS.

Let's explain briefly what each tool is for. We will develop the examples using Eclipse as our IDE, JBoss AS 7.1.1.Final as our application server, Maven to automatize the build process, and SoapUI as a tool to test the functionality of web services that we will create. In addition, we suggest that you should install the latest version of JDK, which is JDK 1.7.x. For help, we have obtained and included some links that you need to use to get the software to implement the first example. Each link gives you more information about each tool, which can be profitable as you learn something about each one if you don't know about them already.