Axis2 is good enough to provide web service interaction with dynamic and flexible execution frameworks. Flexibility is achieved using the concepts of phases and phase rules, and the dynamic nature of the execution chain has been achieved by runtime module engagement. In this chapter, we discussed the concept of handlers, phases, and how to use them (with an example). We also discussed the phase rules, how one can use them to locate a handler in a given flow, relatively or absolutely. At the end of the chapter, we discussed the special types of handlers in Axis2 called transport receivers, dispatches, message receivers, and transport senders.
The next chapter is one of the most interesting ones, where we discuss the Axis2 deployment model. The Axis2 deployment model provides several new features compared to Axis1, and the new deployment model is highly extensible and user friendly.