A named object is a unit of compiled code with a name that allows it to be found and used by any service within a given service context. The configuration file for defining named objects is <servicecontextname>_objects.xml.

HydraExpress uses this mechanism for service execution. You can also use it to load and use objects that extend your services in a limitless variety of ways. The code can be a small, self-contained bit of functionality, or it might be an entry point to a large back end application, or anything in between.

For more information on named objects, see Chapter 16, Named Objects.