Methods and structure for utilizing dynamic capabilities in client/server software interaction

A method for communicating available services between a client program and a server program, the method comprising:

• transmitting service capabilities information from the server program to the client program wherein the service capabilities information comprises information regarding available services from the server program;
• receiving in the server program a service request from the client program, the service request requesting performance of a service from the server program wherein the service request is based on the service capabilities information;
• and
• performing the requested service within the server program responsive to receipt of the service request.

A system comprising:

• a client program operating on a client computing device;
• a server program operating on a server computing device, the server program communicatively coupled with the client program;
• and
• a memory coupled with the server program for storing service capabilities information
• wherein the service capabilities information comprises information regarding available services from the server program,
• wherein the server program is adapted to transmit the service capabilities information to the client program and wherein the client program is adapted to receive the service capabilities information from the server program,
• wherein the client program is further adapted to generate a service request based on the service capabilities information and is further adapted to transmit the service request to the server program wherein the service request requests a desired service be performed by the server program on behalf of the client program, and
• wherein the server program is further adapted to receive the service request and is further adapted to perform the desired service.