[NTLUG:Discuss] OT sending and receiving XML on a UNIX server

[Fred James]

All
Brief background
(1) I have an interface to write that will initiate a session with 
another server, send a message, receive a reply, and close the session.
(2) The interface will be called from an existing application, which 
will wait for the reply

Questions (forgive me if they are dumb ones)
(a) What is required to send, and receive, an XML message?
(b) Is it required to have a web server running on the originating 
server (home of my interface)?

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
Regards
Fred James