From my understanding, Service$-$Oriented Architecture $($SOA$)$ is a framework designed to provide multiple, independent services that work together to help organizations achieve their goals. Each service functions separately, which allows for greater flexibility and scalability. Because the services are not interdependent, businesses can add, modify, or remove services without disrupting the overall system. This modular approach is especially beneficial for organizations that need to adapt quickly to changes in technology or customer demands.

A great example of SOA in action is a retail store like Target, which operates both physical locations and a robust online platform. In this context:

The product catalog service manages and displays available items across all platforms.

The payment processing service handles customer transactions securely$,$ integrating with various payment methods.

The delivery service coordinates shipping options, tracking, and customer updates.

Since each of these services is separate, Target can update its payment system, introduce new shipping options, or modify its product catalog without affecting the other services. For example, if Target wants to add a new same$-$day delivery option, it can simply integrate a new delivery service without disrupting the existing payment or catalog services.