Specifying a programming exercises evaluation service on the e-Framework José Paulo Leal 1 , Ricardo Queirós 2 and Duarte Ferreira 3 1,3 CRACS/INESC-Porto & DCC/FCUP, University of Porto, Portugal zp@dcc.fc.up.pt , c0216010@alunos.dcc.fc.up.pt 2 CRACS/INESC-Porto & DI/ESEIG/IPP, Porto, Portugal ricardo.queiros@eu.ipp.pt Abstract. The e-Framework is arguably the most prominent e-learning framework currently in use. For this reason it was selected as basis for modelling a programming exercises evaluation service. The purpose of this type of evaluator is to mark and grade exercises in computer programming courses and in programming contests. By exposing its functions as services a programming exercise evaluator is able to participate in business processes integrating different system types, such as Programming Contest Management Systems, Learning Management Systems, Integrated Development Environments and Learning Object Repositories. This paper formalizes the approaches to be used in the implementation of a programming exercise evaluator as a service on the e-Framework. Keywords: SOA, interoperability, e-learning. 1 Introduction In recent years several initiatives brought service orientation to e-learning. These initiatives, usually called e-learning frameworks, support the creation of flexible e- learning systems using service oriented approaches. Based on a previous survey [1] we identified the e-Framework as one of the most prominent e-learning framework initiatives. The e-Framework 1 success results from a strong and active community of practice contributing with service definitions. Potential submitters are encouraged to use the collaborative tools provided by the e-Framework to share their contributions and obtain feedback from the community. In the research presented in this paper the e-Framework was used as basis for the definition of service for marking and grading computer programs. The computer programs processed by this service are submitted either by students in computer 1 Official website http://www.e-framework.org